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Syntax and Sentence Structure
Grammar in Motion: Transforming Sentences with Voice, Predicates, and Participles

Summary

In this literacy centre, designed for grades 7 and 8, students will independently explore and master active and passive voice, predicate nouns and adjectives, and participles. Through interactive tasks that combine grammar practice with creative expression, students will better understand these concepts and how they enhance sentence structure and meaning.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this centre, students will be able to:
  • Differentiate between active and passive voice in sentences and convert sentences from one voice to the other;
  • Identify and correctly use predicate nouns and adjectives in sentences;
  • Recognize and apply participles as descriptive elements within sentences, enhancing their understanding of verb forms as adjectives.

Material to Prepare

  • Appendix A: Active or Passive? Colour it in!
  • Appendix B: Predicate Nouns and Adjectives
  • Appendix C: Participles in Action
  • Pencils or pens
  • Highlighters (green, yellow, blue, red)
  • Colouring materials (crayons, coloured pencils, markers)
  • Scissors (optional for additional activities)
  • Dictionaries and thesauruses (optional)

Procedure

Instructions for Students
Getting Started
  • Collect the needed materials: Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, pencils, highlighters, and colouring materials.
  • Review the key concepts in each appendix, focusing on distinguishing between active and passive voice, identifying predicate nouns and adjectives, and understanding participles.
Active and Passive Voice Activity: Appendix A
  • Step 1: Read the definitions and examples of active and passive voice provided.
  • Step 2: Circle the verb in each sentence. Highlight the sentence in green if it’s in active voice, and in yellow if it’s in passive voice.
    • Example:
      • “The cat chased the mouse.” → Active voice, highlight in green.
      • “The mouse was chased by the cat.” → Passive voice, highlight in yellow.
  • Step 3: Transform one of the active voice sentences into passive voice and vice versa. Colour the transformation in the correct colours.
Predicate Nouns and Adjectives Activity: Appendix B
  • Step 1: Read the sentences and highlight the subject in green, the linking verb in yellow, the predicate noun in blue, and the predicate adjective in red.
    • Example:
      • “The dog is friendly.” → Dog is highlighted in green (subject), is in yellow (linking verb), and friendly in red (predicate adjective).
  • Step 2: Write one sentence that contains a predicate noun and one that contains a predicate adjective. Use your colours to highlight each part as you write.
Participles in Action Activity: Appendix C
  • Step 1: Read the sentences and highlight the participles in blue. Identify if the participle is present (-ing) or past (-ed, -en).
    • Example:
      • “The barking dog scared the neighbours.” → Highlight barking in blue (present participle).
  • Step 2: Write two original sentences using participles to add detail and vivid description to your sentences.
Creative Sentence Challenge (Optional)

Create your own short story using at least one active voice sentence, one passive voice sentence, a sentence with a predicate noun, a sentence with a predicate adjective, and a sentence with a participle. Colour code each part of the sentence using the highlighters.

DIFFERENTIATION: Observing and providing support during analysis.

Possible Observation Intervention Strategies
Students struggle to differentiate between active and passive voice.
  • Provide clear, targeted examples that contrast active and passive voice. Highlight the subject’s role in performing versus receiving the action.
  • Engage the students in guided practice with sentences demonstrating the transformation between active and passive voice.
  • Use visual aids like flowcharts or diagrams to reinforce the difference between the two voices.
Students have difficulty identifying predicate nouns and adjectives.
  • Offer one-on-one instruction with additional examples that separate the subject, linking verb, and predicate noun/adjective.
  • Use sentence diagrams or charts to visually breakdown sentence structure, showing how predicate nouns and adjectives connect to the subject.
  • Provide guided practice where students label sentence components, reinforcing their understanding of predicate nouns and adjectives.
Students are confused by participles and how they function in a sentence.
  • Create a focused mini-lesson on participles, using colour-coded examples to distinguish between present and past participles.
  • Incorporate hands-on activities where students identify participles in various contexts and rewrite sentences to include participles.
  • Encourage the students to write original sentences using participles, providing feedback and guidance to ensure correct usage and understanding.

Appendixes

Download the Appendixes document

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