Verbs are addressed in week 2 so that parents and students can get an overview of the most important part of speech. It's an overview, therefore it's overwhelming. Even after 6 years in the Essentials program and 2 years as an Essentials tutor, I can firmly attest that I do not know everything about verbs. In fact, I bet I do not know 50% of what there is to know about verbs. Originally, my goal as a Tutor was to reassure parents to not quit the program after week 2.
But, as I have evolved as an educator, especially as a classical educator, I become more and more aware of the simplicity and beauty of this program. Socrates stated: Better to do a little well, than a great deal badly. I have embraced this quote this year in our schooling and home life. Let's do less, but let's do it well!
The objective for the verb lesson is to help students begin to familiarize themselves with all the terms associated with the types, attributes, and tenses of verbs. It can be difficult to do this without getting hung up on the many details of verbs. As I thought to myself do less well, a Facebook post inspired me to draft the above illustration. Yesterday in class, we used pictures and numbers to help us remember the definition of a verb as well as the types, the attributes, and the tenses. Each child drew this picture along with me as we actively drilled the material, and I provided a few examples for their parents. It was less done well, and probably my best class to date. Parents were grateful for the simplicity of the program, which is now my goal as a Tutor. As an added bonus, my daughter and I have Chart C memorized which was not the case before yesterday.
[If you are an Essentials Tutor, and you're looking for a few more details about the class, please feel free to contact me - anne.huminsky@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: We are no longer involved with CC, but this remains one of my most visited posts. I am still happy to share my plans with you, just know I haven't done anything CC-related for well over a year. You can read about our decision to move away from CC here.]
I really like this visual- I think I'll use it to reference to next week in class. Can you just tell me what you were referring to underneath the word verb? Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteIt was how we remembered the definition for Verb .. asserts Action, shows State (we're in NC) of being, Links (chain) two words together, or Helps (helping hand) another verb.
Can you give more info on the other pics as well? I understand person, number and tense, the rest? Thanks for sharing this is great
ReplyDeleteVoice, Mood Ring (all I could think of), Part of the Circle (for Principle Parts).
DeleteThank you, seems obvious now that you say it:)
ReplyDeleteIs that a pyramid with the tenses?
ReplyDeleteor...haha...is it 'tents' ?
Ha! Yes, tents.
DeleteWhat's the picture for type?
ReplyDeleteThe H.I.L.T. of a sword.
DeleteA www... I'm using this. Thanks, friend.
DeleteCan you explain the sword/ hilt illustration? Thanks
DeleteCan you explain the sword/ hilt illustration? Thanks
DeleteBryce ...
DeleteA mnemonic for Helping, Intransitive, Linking, Transitive.
Thank you for such a colorful, interesting way to view the verbs chart. A fellow Essentials tutor sent me the link to your blog this evening. We will be covering this material next week in class and I would love to implement this idea. I am grateful to you for sharing the idea with so many people. ~Many thanks from Alabama and Georgia!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy.
DeleteI'm praying for your class next week.
Thank you for the prayers. The class went well. The Moms (fellow teachers) and children enjoyed this presentation of the verbs. I sent them all links to your blog.
DeleteSo great to hear! Thanks for the update.
DeleteAnne, I would love more information about how you taught this in class. I am a first year Essentials tutor and we had our first class yesterday. Things did not go as well as I would have hoped for--not terrible but lots of blank stares from both parents and students. This looks like a great way to go over the information and keep the students engaged--one of the things I want to improve upon from this week. Any/all help or advice you can offer I would greatly appreciate. Thank you! rebeccastewart@triad.rr.com
ReplyDeleteI would also love more information:) Last week went well but after looking at this week's lesson I can already picture the stares I will receive. My class is made up of 8 - 9year old first tour students and 2 - 12 year olds also first tour. I would love any help you can give on how you worked through the information. My email is veniceccdirector@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteIt was all kinds of fun!
I would love more information as well. I am an Essentials tutor in Florida and my e-mail is andreahaebig@aol.com
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant way of presenting the grammar for week 2. I would also more information, my email is jacqu13@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anne!
ReplyDeleteOne more question, what does the 4m stand for?
Form. I could not think of a better representation. Since there are FOUR forms, I just added an 'm' to the number.
DeleteThis is fantastic! I'm totally using this! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHi! I'm a 2nd year CC parent and 1st year Ess tutor and I have to tell you that after making up my lesson plans for last week (our week2 here in Sparks, Nevada) I stumbled across this gem, and tossed everything I'd prepared. After doing it again using your simplified version, I was super excited to tutor last Tuesday. When we were finished with our EEL, my Director (and Essential's tutor last year) spoke up and said, "whoa. That was Awesome! Week 2 was the WORST when I was tutoring, and that explanation rocked!" It was funny because I was there last year, week 2... and I was probably giving her blank stares although I don't remember.... ( I was just so thankful she was talking jibberish and it wasn't me up there trying to do it!!)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't take credit for your cool idea, of course and said how my friend found it and sent me the link, but I was so so happy that someone who had gone before me could bless our little community so much. So THANK YOU for this.
Thanks for your sweet note, Kelly. I, too, adapted it from someone else who I think adapted it from someone else, so credit is shared. I think that's one of the beautiful aspects of CC ... that we're a community working to assist one another.
DeleteI'm so thankful that your class was an encouragement to you.
I am an Essentials sub this year but I'm also working during the week with new families to help them adjust to Essentials easier than I did last year (my daughter and I mentally checked out of EEL last year which was a bummer). I can't wait to share this with our moms, but was wondering about your teaching notes. To the folks who have been asking for them, are you sending out a document? I just hate the idea of you having to personally write and send me separate info. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI just keep resending the same email. ;)
DeleteFeel free to email me at anne.huminsky@gmail.com.
This is great!! Sitting in bed prepping for next week and I found your link. I am also a first year Essentials tutor and mom And would love more info on this. jmhorzempa@gmail.com Thank you again!!
DeleteThank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteCan you please send me the email as well! My first year tutoring week 2 I confused myself as well as the moms and students. I need to redeem myself. Thank you so much for sharing. mrsriggs_iii@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteJohanna from Ofallon, MO
Hi Anne, I love this visual! Having never been in an Ess. class and being a first year tutor I'm a bit nervous about getting the information across to everyone. This looks fantastic! I would love more info on this as well. My email is hollymelanson99@gmail.com Thanks so much for blessing us!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not overwhelmed by all the requests but I would love more notes as well. First year tutor, first year Essentials mama. Ack!! Thanks! cutzi.jobes@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe're on Week 5 tomorrow (well, in five minutes it will be TODAY!), but I'd love an email explanation too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLassProofer@yahoo.com is my email address.
I'm a first-year Essentials Tutor as well. Would you send me your extra info? Thank you so much. I think this will assist our many new students and Mamas so much. Lysmorrison@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm am all ready preparing for tutoring Essentials next year. (I'm planner! Let's pray I can implement as well as plan!) can you send me the notes you mentioned you were sending to those who asked. Anything you can send me on any week would be helpful! Thanks so much! This is such a blessing! Debi.dada@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon this post (a year after you posted it, it seems) and I am in the process of planning for the upcoming Essentials year. I would love more info. I am a first year tutor and really wanting to make the class interactive and fun for the kids. This looks awesome! Could you email me? suzanne.y.khan@gmail.com. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you'll receive this - a couple years after the fact. ha! But I'd sure love the email you send out also. My address is netbarron@hotmail.com. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello Anne, I would love more information about your verb "chart." I think this would help some of my struggling learners and also be a good visual for some. My email is katiealvarez1980@gmail.com. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHi, there. I would also love more information please. Tutoring for the first time! Thank you. k.pagaran@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure how active this post is! If you don’t mind I go am a first yr essentials tutor we start week 1 Friday! I would love more info I love the lay out thank you!
ReplyDeleteRockincloth3@gmail.com
I’d LOVE this info... teaching week after next. davidjulie_dowen@hotmail.com
ReplyDelete