Literacy+Activities

On the page, the paragraph is a solid block of writing (like this!) To start a new paragraph, you should leave a whole line and start at the beginning of the line after or you can indent - if handwriting (start about 2 cm from the left), but this is not necessary if you have left a line. ||
 * Paragraphs **
 * **WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?** ||
 * A paragraph usually contains a general idea in one sentence, and 4 - 5 supporting sentences which expand this idea by giving explanation, details and/or examples to support the main idea. Length can vary.

HOW IS A PARAGRAPH STRUCTURED? ** || P Paragraph Games
 * ** WHY USE PARAGRAPHS? ** ||
 * Paragraphs are used to separate main ideas. A new paragraph signals to the reader that a new idea is about to be discussed. The break between paragraphs gives the reader time to take in each idea. ||
 * **
 * There is no one correct structure. However, a useful structure is: ||
 * **1. Topic Sentence** ||||  ||
 * || This is the **first** sentence and it expresses **the main idea**. ||
 * **2. Supporting Sentences** ||
 * || details that expand your main idea. ||
 * **3. Concluding Sentence** ||
 * || a rounding off, possibly by summarizing what has been said or drawing a logical conclusion from it. ||
 * (**Note** that in a piece of writing which is **longer than one paragraph** you should **leave** your **conclusion to the very end!**) ||  ||
 * Another way of explaining the 3 parts of a paragraph is to describe these parts like this: ||
 * 1. Say what you are going to say. ||  ||   ||   ||
 * 2. || Say it. ||  ||
 * 3. || Say what you've said! ||  ||
 * Activity 1: **
 * Choose which of the following sentences is the topic sentence for a planned paragraph about Australian Government. ||
 * A || The Commonwealth Government looks after areas of national importance. ||
 * B || There are three levels of government in Australia. ||
 * C || Local concerns, such as suburban streets and garbage services are looked after by Local Government. ||
 * D || The State Government's responsibilities include hospitals, schools and state police forces. ||  ||   ||
 * Activity 2: **
 * As a grade brainstorm a list of topics to expand upon
 * Form groups of 3 or 4
 * In groups write 3 - 5 sentences about the topic you have chosen
 * As a grade put all the paragraphs together

Have a go at some "paragraph" games at the folowing address:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/writing/pa ragraphs/game.shtml


 * Paragraph Factsheets

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/writing/paragraphs/factsheet.shtml

**
 * = Apostrophes = ||  ||


 * ||  || === Rule 1. === |||| Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed. ||
 * ^  || //**Examples:**// || //don't, isn't// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //You're right.// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //She's a great teacher.// ||   ||   ||


 * || === Rule 2. === |||| Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the //s// to show singular possession. ||
 * ^  || //**Examples:**// || //one boy's hat// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //one woman's hat// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //one actress's hat// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //one child's hat// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Ms. Chang's house// ||
 * ^  ||^   || **NOTE:** Although names ending in //s// or an //s// sound are not required to have the second //s// added in possessive form, it is preferred. ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Mr. Jones's golf clubs// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Texas's weather// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Ms. Straus's daughter// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Jose Sanchez's artwork// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Dr. Hastings's appointment (//name is //Hastings)// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Mrs. Lees's books (//name is //Lees)// ||   ||


 * === Rule 3. === |||| Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied. ||
 * || //**Example:**// || //This was his father's, not his, jacket.// ||


 * ** Rule 4 .** |||| To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe. ||
 * ^  || **//Examples://** || //two boys' hats// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //two women's hats// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //two actresses' hats// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //two children's hats// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Changs' house// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Joneses' golf clubs// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Strauses' daughter// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Sanchezes' artwork// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Hastingses' appointment// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //the Leeses' books// ||


 * || ** Rule 5. ** |||| Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name. ||
 * ^  || //**Examples:**// || //We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //The Changs have two cats and a dog.// ||   ||


 * ** Rule 6. ** |||| With a singular compound noun, show possession with //'s// at the end of the word. ||
 * ^  || **//Example://** || //my mother-in-law's hat// ||

use the apostrophe. ||
 * ** Rule 7. ** |||| If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then
 * ^  || **//Example://** || //my two brothers-in-law's hats// ||

next year.// Indicates separate ownership. || Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract. || More apostrophe rules can be found at the following website: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
 * ** Rule 8. ** |||| Use the apostrophe and //s// after the second name only if two people possess the same item. ||
 * ^  || //**Examples:**// || //Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.// ||
 * ^  ||^   || //Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed
 * ^  ||^   || //Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.//
 * || ** Rule 9. ** |||| Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: //his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose//. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe. ||
 * || //**Examples:**//
 * //Correct://** || //This book is hers, not yours.// ||
 * || **//Incorrect://** || //Sincerely your's.// ||

Apostrophe Activities http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punctuation/apostrophes/

'Paragraphs' games ||