Student Skill Practice Book
Being a Writer™ SECOND EDITION
ISBN 978-1-61003-266-7
1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 110 Alameda, CA 94501 800.666.7270 collaborativeclassroom.org y(7IB6B0*KNMQQR( +;!z!”!z!”
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Pupils to whom this textbook is issued must not write on any page or mark any part of it in any way, consumable textbooks excepted. 1. Teachers should see that the pupil’s name is clearly written in ink in the spaces above in every book issued. 2. The following terms should be used in recording the condition of the book: New; Good; Fair; Poor; Bad. Student Skill Practice Book
Being a Writer™ SECOND EDITION Copyright © 2014 by Center for the Collaborative Classroom
All rights reserved. Except where otherwise noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permissions, write to the Publishing Services department at Center for the Collaborative Classroom.
First edition published 2007. Second edition 2014.
Being a Writer is a trademark of Center for the Collaborative Classroom.
Cover illustration by Michael Wertz
Center for the Collaborative Classroom 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 110 Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 666-7270; fax: (510) 464-3670 collaborativeclassroom.org
ISBN 978-1-61003-266-7
Printed in the United States of America
7 8 9 10 EBM 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 CONTENTS Sentences
Lesson 1 Complete Sentences...... 1 Lesson 2 Compound Sentences...... 4 Lesson 3 Complex Sentences...... 7 Lesson 4 Sentence Fragments...... 10 Lesson 5 Run-on Sentences...... 13 Lesson 6 Review...... 16 Nouns and Pronouns
Lesson 7 Singular, Plural, and Possessive Nouns...... 19 Lesson 8 Subject and Object Pronouns...... 22 Lesson 9 Possessive Pronouns...... 25 Lesson 10 Relative Pronouns...... 28 Lesson 11 Noun-Pronoun Agreement...... 31 Lesson 12 Commonly Misused Words...... 34 Lesson 13 Review...... 37 Verbs
Lesson 14 Verbs...... 40 Lesson 15 Simple Verb Tenses...... 43 Lesson 16 Progressive Verb Tenses...... 46 Lesson 17 Perfect Verb Tenses...... 49 Lesson 18 Modal Auxiliary Verbs...... 52 Lesson 19 Subject-Verb Agreement...... 55 Lesson 20 Formal and Informal English...... 58 Lesson 21 Review ...... 61 Adjectives, Adverbs, and Prepositions
Lesson 22 Adjectives and Order of Adjectives in Sentences...... 64 Lesson 23 Adverbs...... 67 Lesson 24 Relative Adverbs...... 70 Lesson 25 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases...... 73 Lesson 26 Review...... 76 (continues)
Contents iii CONTENTS (continued)
Capitalization and Punctuation
Lesson 27 Proper Nouns, Proper Adjectives, and Titles of Address.... 79 Lesson 28 Commas in Letters...... 82 Lesson 29 Commas and Quotation Marks in Dialogue and Direct Quotations...... 85 Lesson 30 Review...... 88
Student Grammar Guide...... 91
Proofreading Passages...... 103
iv Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Star Gazing
A. Read each sentence. Underline the complete subject and circle the simple subject.
1. My friend Alex watches the night sky from his window.
2. Alex’s new telescope zooms in on Mars.
3. My cousin Clare uses the telescope often, too.
4. The brightest star in the sky is extra bright tonight!
5. Clare finds the North Star easily.
B. Choose a simple subject from the word box to complete each sentence. Then circle the complete subject.
blankets puppy Sarita shower sky
1. The cloudless makes this a good night for looking at stars.
2. Our fluffy are on the ground.
3. My best friend lies down on one blanket.
4. My brand-new lies beside me on the other.
5. The meteor is about to begin!
C. Write a paragraph about something you like to look at in your surroundings. Use complete sentences.
Sentences Lesson 1 1 A Change in Plans
A. Read each sentence. Underline the complete predicate. Write the simple predicate on the line.
1. Ramon and his friend Nico hiked into the woods.
2. They left their bug spray at home by mistake.
3. Mosquitoes buzzed all around them.
4. Ramon and Nico changed their plans quickly.
5. The two friends raced out of the woods.
6. They went to a nearby lake instead.
B. Choose a simple predicate from the word box to complete each sentence. Then circle the complete predicate.
rested listened built felt swam
1. Ramon laps in the lake.
2. The cool water good on his bug bites.
3. Nico on his towel in the warm sun.
4. He to the songs of different birds.
5. Little children sand castles along the shore.
C. Write a short passage about something fun to do with a friend. Use complete sentences.
2 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Big Bad Wolves?
A. Read the paragraph. Above each underlined word or phrase, write Complete Sentences WA3 complete subject, simple subject, complete predicate, or simple predicate.
Many people are afraid of wolves. “Big bad wolves” are
dangerous in many stories. In “Little Red Riding Hood,” a wolf
threatens to eat a little girl. In “The Three Little Pigs,” a wolf
bullies three helpless pigs. The truth is, wolves are very shy.
They live in places that have very few people.
B. What is missing to make each phrase below a completeComplete sentence? Sentences Write WA4 S (for subject), P (for predicate), or B (for both) on the line.
1. A big fear of wolves
2. is an endangered animal
3. Need protection
4. The U.S. government
5. in packs with their pups
C. Write a paragraph about an animal. Use five complete sentences.
Sentences Lesson 1 3 Tadpoles and Frogs
A. Read each sentence. Decide whether it is a simple sentence or a compound sentence. Write S (for simple) or C (for compound) on the line.
1. Tadpoles are baby frogs or toads.
2. Tadpoles hatch from eggs, and they live in water.
3. The tadpole has no legs at first, but then back legs begin to form.
4. Skin grows over the tadpole’s gills.
5. Then front legs appear on the tadpole’s body.
6. The tadpole’s lungs grow, and its tail shrinks.
7. Some tadpoles take up to two years to grow into frogs.
B. Complete each compound sentence by adding a comma and a conjunction. Use each conjunction from the word box one time.
and but or
1. Frogs catch insects with their tongues they don’t swallow just anything.
2. Frogs have a strong sense of taste they often spit out nasty-tasting bugs.
3. A frog may spend the winter in a hole in the ground it may bury itself at the bottom of a pond.
C. Write a paragraph about an animal. Use both simple and compound sentences.
4 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Damien’s Dreams
A. Complete the story by writing and, or, or but in each space.
Damien has been having strange dreams, last
night he dreamed he was a giant balloon. He tried staying seated
during math class, he kept floating out of his chair. He
bumped his head on the ceiling, then he bumped into
a bookcase. Damien tried to float out the window, the
window was closed. Damien might try drinking warm milk before
bedtime, he might just stop snacking after dinner!
B. Draw a line from each sentence on the left to a sentence on the right. Write the new compound sentences on the lines, adding commas and conjunctions where they belong.
Sunita’s dreams were boring. She saw her sister popping bubble wrap.
Bubbles filled her bedroom. One night she had an unusual dream.
Sunita finally woke up. Each one exploded with a loud pop.
1.
2.
3.
C. Write a paragraph about a funny dream someone might have. Use simple and compound sentences.
Sentences Lesson 2 5 The Puppet
A. Read the paragraph. Find five mistakes with the compound sentences. Cross out each one you find, and write the correctionCompound above it.Sentences WA7
Mrs. Munroe announces a talent show and I start to panic
right away. I can decide not to participate, and I can try to be
brave. I don’t have amazing talent but I do have George. George is
my monkey puppet. The day of the talent show arrives, and I
swallow my fear. I play a lively song on my MP3 player, but
George begins to dance. He is a great dancer. We twirl across the
stage and everyone claps loudly.
B. Draw a line to connect each sentence on the left to a sentence on the right. Write the new compound sentences on the lines, adding commas and conjunctions where they belong.
Paulina likes all kinds of puppets. They can be life-sized.
Strings are attached to a marionette. Her favorites are marionettes.
Puppets can fit on your hand. People offstage move the strings.
1.
2.
3.
C. Write a paragraph about your favorite kind of entertainment. Use two simple sentences and two compound sentences.
6 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book The Fourth of July
A. Read each sentence. Draw a line under the part that can stand alone. Draw two lines under the part that cannot stand alone. Circle the conjunction.
1. I like the Fourth of July because my family watches fireworks.
2. We pack a picnic dinner before we leave for the park.
3. My little brother covers his ears while the fireworks explode.
4. The crowd applauds loudly when the fireworks end.
B. Connect each complete sentence on the left to a related group of words on the right. Write the four complex sentences on the lines. Circle each conjunction.
My town held a parade after I got home.
Some folks rode in cars because it was July 4th.
We waved to the drummers while others marched.
I e-mailed photos to my aunt when our school band went by.
1.
2.
3.
4.
C. Write a short passage about a holiday you like. Include simple and complex sentences.
Sentences Lesson 3 7 Root for Route 66!
A. Read the passage. Circle the conjunctions that work best.
U.S. Route 66 is a famous highway. Part of it had been the Old Trails Road (before, because) Route 66 opened in 1926. Route 66 ran from Chicago to Los Angeles. The road was your way to a big city (if, before) you lived in a small town. In the 1950s, people began building freeways (after, because) they wanted to get places faster. The old two-lane road was never the same (after, if) the high-speed freeways were built.
B. Combine each pair of sentences. Circle the correct conjunction. Then write each new sentence on the line.
1. Some people still take Route 66. They like visiting the tourist sites. (after, because)
2. People are reminded of America’s history. They see roadside motels and old diners. (when, before)
C. Write a short passage about a place that you have always wanted to see. Use both simple sentences and complex sentences.
8 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Meeting Harold
A. Read the passage. Circle the correct conjunctions. Complex Sentences WA11
Mia packed a lunch and her camera (before, while) she went to the zoo. She ran to the sea lion area (before, when) she got there. It was feeding time. She took photos (if, while) the animals ate. Next, Mia visited the apes. She hoped to see baby Harold play (while, if) he would only wake up. But Mia couldn’t wait (because, so) it was feeding time at the Lion House. She would visit little Harold again (because, before) he grew up!
B. Use a conjunction from the word box to combine each sentence pair and form a complex sentence. Write the new sentence onComplex the line. Sentences WA12
before because when
1. Mia became an animal keeper. She grew up.
2. She made this decision in fifth grade. She loved animals.
3. She had to finish college. She could work at the zoo.
C. Write a short passage about an animal you think is cute. Include three simple sentences and three complex sentences.
Sentences Lesson 3 9 Money in My Pocket?
A. Read each group of words. Circle C if the group of words is a complete sentence. Circle F if it is a fragment.
1. Kara found some money in Grandpa’s car. C F
2. Put the ten-dollar bill in her coat pocket. C F
3. The luckiest girl in the world! C F
4. She remembered a pretty bracelet at the store. C F
5. On the counter next to the watches. C F
B. Read each sentence fragment. Circle the words that can be added to form a complete sentence. Write the complete sentence on the line.
1. Told her dad about the money. Kara That evening
2. Kara’s dad. Spoke with her In a serious voice
3. By the end of their talk, Kara knew what to do Kara and her dad
4. Would tell Grandpa about the money. She Tomorrow
C. Write a passage about good advice you have gotten from someone.
10 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Goodbye, Hiccups
A. Read the passage. Draw a line under each incomplete sentence.
Dion got the hiccups. Didn’t know what to do. Dion asked his sister how to get rid of them. Told her brother to swallow a spoonful of orange juice. Willing to try anything. The juice didn’t work, but Dion remembered another cure. A cold glass of water! He drank the water and waited. Was amazing! His hiccups were gone.
B. Read each sentence fragment. Think of a subject, a predicate, or both that you could add to form a complete sentence. Write your new sentence on the line.
1. Get the hiccups once in a while.
2. Both adults and children.
3. Many different ways to get rid of hiccups.
4. Some of the cures.
C. Write a short passage about getting the hiccups. Be sure to use complete sentences.
Sentences Lesson 4 11 Meet Roberto
A. Read the passage. Correct any sentence fragments by adding a subject, a Sentence Fragments WA15 predicate, or both.
On school days Roberto gets up early. Eats some scrambled
eggs for breakfast. After breakfast he and his sister walk to
school. Is not far away. Roberto plays ball on the playground
before school. To soccer practice after school. Roberto’s team is
the Clippers. Want to win the championship. Maybe the Clippers!
B. Read the sentence fragments. Then correct each one by adding a subject, Sentence Fragments WA16 a predicate, or both. Write the new sentence on the line.
1. Roberto’s favorite weekend day.
2. Grabs a quick breakfast.
3. With his skateboard and helmet.
4. Teaches him a new trick.
5. Practice their moves.
C. Write a paragraph about something you like to do on weekends. Use five complete sentences.
12 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Babysitting Is Not for Babies
A. Circle R if the sentence is a run-on sentence. Circle C if the sentence is correct.
1. Babysitting for a younger brother or sister can be RC challenging.
2. Parents leave the house the children get upset. RC
3. Little ones run around the house they start to cry. RC
4. Playing some fun games quiets the children. RC
5. Playing outside can also help let out energy. RC
B. Read the passage. Draw a line under the run-on sentences.
All babysitters should know and do certain things. They should watch the children every minute they can quickly get in trouble. Sitters should know how to get in touch with the children’s parents they should also have emergency phone numbers. A good babysitter is always calm and patient, too. Babysitters should never lose their tempers that only makes things worse!
C. Write a paragraph about a time when you helped take care of a younger child. Make sure all of your sentences are written correctly.
Sentences Lesson 5 13 Horsing Around
A. Correct each run-on sentence by forming two separate sentences. Write the sentences on the line.
1. Diego has always loved horses now he wants to ride them.
2. He is going to get his chance his uncle will teach him how.
3. Diego looked up at the beautiful horse it was really tall!
B. Correct each run-on sentence. Add a conjunction from the word box. Add a comma where needed. Write the sentence on the line.
or before and because
1. Diego’s legs felt shaky his heart was beating fast.
2. His heart was racing he was afraid.
3. Would he conquer his fear would he choose not to ride?
4. He climbed up on the horse he could change his mind.
C. Write a short passage about an activity that seems scary but fun. Make sure that all of your sentences are written correctly.
14 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book A Biking Challenge
A. Proofread the passage. Correct the run-on sentences.Run-on Sentences WA19
The hardest part of my bike ride home is the last mile I have
to go up a steep hill. I start to pedal hard and begin the climb. My
muscles burn my shoulders ache. Sweat drips into my eyes I keep
going. My heart is beating hard now I am panting like a tired dog.
I try to think of something else unfortunately, I can’t.
B. Correct each run-on sentence. Use conjunctions in at least three of the sentences. Write the new sentence or sentences on theRun-on line. Sentences WA20
1. I have done this before I can do it this time, too.
2. I can’t stop I just have to keep going.
3. I get a big burst of energy I start climbing the hill.
4. I finally reach the top I raise my fist into the sky.
5. I congratulate myself no one is around to applaud me.
C. Write a paragraph about a time when you had to keep going, no matter what. Use six sentences, and make sure they are written correctly.
Sentences Lesson 5 15 At the Aquarium
A. What is needed to make each fragment a complete sentence? Write S (for subject), P (for predicate), or B (for both).
1. The underwater world of sharks.
2. Feeds the shark raw meat.
3. Hears the tour guide’s stories.
4. A shark’s teeth.
5. In the large fish tank.
B. Correct each sentence fragment. Write the new sentence on the line.
1. On our field trip to the aquarium.
2. The penguins and the sea otters.
3. The new jellyfish exhibit.
4. Told us all about the jellyfish.
5. Moved like dancers through the water.
C. Write a brief passage about your favorite field trip. Be sure to use complete sentences.
16 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book The Kelp Forest
A. Draw a line to connect each simple sentence on the left to a sentence on the right. Write the new sentences on the lines. Add a comma and the conjunction and, but, or or.
I saw an underwater forest. It can grow as tall as 100 feet.
Kelp grows in shallow ocean waters. It will die.
Kelp needs sunlight. It was made of a plant called kelp.
1.
2.
3.
B. Combine each pair of sentences using the correct conjunction. Circle the conjunction, and write the new sentence on the line.
1. My dad works at the aquarium. The visitors watch him. (after, while)
2. He works in the kelp forest. It needs tending. (before, when)
3. He untangles blades of kelp. Fish get caught in them! (before, unless)
C. Write a brief passage about a fish you have seen or would like to see. Use simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Sentences Lesson 6 17 Strange Sea Life
A. Read the passage. Correct each run-on sentence. Remember that there are two ways to correct a run-on.
What has a head like a horse and a tail like a monkey a
seahorse does! A seahorse has fins for moving it also has gills
for breathing. A seahorse’s tail can grab onto blades of sea grass
the seahorse stays in one place. A seahorse has fringes on its
skin they blend in with the grass. The seahorse can hide from its
enemies it waits for its food to float by.
B. Write a brief description of a living thing you might see under water. Vary the length of your sentences, but be sure there are no fragments or run-ons.
18 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book RF: Nouns and Pronouns | Lesson 7Annos: Text that follows s/b on WOL line: pink (Annotation character format) = annotation handwriting font; blue highlight = circled text 1. illnesses illnesses
Get Fit with a Friend
A. Read each sentence. Circle the three nouns in each sentence.
1. My two older sisters do push-ups in the morning.
2. Doctors say that exercise is important for our bodies.
3. Physical activity is good for children and adults.
4. Athletes need to have strong bones and muscles.
5. You need the right shoes to protect your feet during a workout.
B. Circle the noun that correctly completes each sentence. Write the noun on the line.
1. I read that getting fit can help prevent some . (illnesss, illnesses)
2. I may try jogging and tumbling with my Ben and Sara. (friends, friendies)
3. Sara has many athletic . (abilitys, abilities)
4. My dad plays on a baseball team with some from his work. (mans, men)
5. All men and should find workout routines they enjoy! (women, womans)
C. Write a paragraph about a fun way someone could get fit. Use singular and plural nouns.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 7 19 Fruit or Chocolate?
A. Circle the possessive noun in each sentence. Circle S if the noun is singular possessive and P if it is plural possessive.
1. Mattie’s lunch always includes a banana. S P
2. Apples are my sister’s favorite snack. SP
3. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of SP children’s diets.
4. The body’s health depends on plenty of fresh food. SP
5. Maybe my friends’ eating habits will rub off on me! SP
B. Circle the possessive noun that correctly completes each sentence. Write the noun on the line.
1. favorite snack is a strawberry smoothie. (Martha’, Martha’s)
2. Strawberries contain vitamins that are good for health. (people’s, peoples’)
3. Martha just likes the sweet taste. (strawberries’s, strawberries’)
4. She adds plain yogurt to create the creamy texture. (drinks’, drink’s)
5. Most ingredients also include milk or ice. (smoothies’, smoothie’s)
C. Write a short passage about a healthy food you enjoy. Use at least two possessive nouns.
20 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Talk to Me
A. Proofread the passage. Cross outSingular, each incorrect Plural, formand Possessive of a singular, Nouns plural, WA4 or possessive noun. Write the correct form of the noun above it.
Jennys dog Russ got hurt last year while playing with some
big puppys. All her friends’ noticed that Jenny was sad. A few
time during the school day, they asked her if anything was wrong.
Jenny just shook her head and walked away. They could see that
her eyelashs were wet with tears. The girls didn’t know what to
do, but Celia remembered her own moms’ advice.
B. Replace each underlined word or phrase with the correct singular, plural, Singular, Plural, and Possessive Nouns WA5 or possessive noun. Write the correction above the word or phrase.
1. “Don’t let the sadness of a friend keep you away, ” Mom told Celia.
2. She also said, “Don’t make speechs about feeling better soon. Just listen.”
3. The next day Celia got Jenny to talk about her worrys.
4. Celia discovered that the ear belonging to Russ had been bitten by another dog.
5. Jenny discovered that the kindness of a friend is very helpful.
C. Write a paragraph about a time when you helped a friend—or a friend helped you. Use one singular, one plural, and two possessive nouns.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 7 21 Stop That Snake!
A. Read the passage. Circle each subject pronoun.
Letisha has a pet snake. Yesterday she brought the snake to school. The other kids asked a lot of questions. They wanted to know what the snake eats. Letisha explained, “Dad and I get mice at the pet store. Then we feed the mice to the snake.” Hank asked Letisha if the snake could come out of the cage. She said no. It might get scared and try to escape. Foolishly, Hank ignored the warning and opened the cage. The snake slithered out. “Hank, you should not have done that!”
B. Read the passage. Circle each object pronoun.
Bella and Braden squealed, “The snake is coming right toward us!” Letisha quickly caught it, and she put it back in the cage. The snake’s tongue darted in and out. Letisha explained that the tongue was sniffing her. Hank was curious. “Has the snake ever bitten you?” he asked. “No,” Letisha told him. “It likes me. In fact, pet snakes rarely bite—unless someone bothers them!”
C. Write a short passage about a pet you have or would like. Use at least two subject pronouns and two object pronouns.
22 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book RF: Nouns and Pronouns | Lesson 8page 23
Mr. Green’s Surprise
A. Read each sentence. Circle the pronoun that correctly completes it. Then write the pronoun on the line.
1. The man who lives next door to grows vegetables. (we, us, they)
2. This year is growing squash and carrots. (he, her, him)
3. are the biggest carrots I have ever seen. (They, Them, We)
4. Carly and help Mr. Green in the garden. (me, her, I)
5. I water the plants, and pulls up weeds. (it, she, her)
6. Mr. Green offered to give Carly and some carrots. (I, they, me)
7. smiled politely and said, “No thanks!” (Them, We, Us)
8. Carly said, “Eating carrots is not as fun as growing .” (them, it, they)
9. Mr. Green smiled at . (she, her, I)
10. The next day there was a present from . (him, she, he)
11. Mr. Green had baked us a cake, and was delicious! (they, you, it)
12. would never guess the main ingredient—carrots! (Me, You, Us)
B. Write a short passage about your favorite or least favorite vegetable. Use at least two subject pronouns and two object pronouns.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 8 23 Up in the Air
A. Proofread the passage. Cross out each incorrectSubject pronoun and Object and Pronounswrite the WA9 correct pronoun above it. Yesterday Mr. Say was taking a walk. The wind was blowing,
and he blew Mr. Say’s hat away. Three girls chased the hat, but it
kept sailing farther away from her. Finally, them caught up to the
hat. We grabbed it and returned it to Mr. Say. He thanked the
children for helping me.
B. Cross out each overused word or phrase andSubject replace and it Object with a Pronounspronoun. WA10 Write the pronoun above the word.
The children were tired of playing video games, so the children
went outside. Merissa found an old football, but the old football
was flat. Merissa’s dad pumped air into the ball, and then
Merissa’s dad gave it back to the kids. Raul shouted, “Catch!” to
Merissa and threw the ball toward Merissa. The ball flew over the
bushes and landed on the other side of the bushes.
C. Write a short passage about playing outside with your friends. Use the pronouns I, me, we, they, and us.
24 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Juggling
A. Read the sentences. Circle the possessive pronoun in each sentence.
1. Pedro likes to draw, but my hobby is juggling.
2. Some jugglers performed on TV, and I watched their show.
3. Greg and Lois, our neighbors, watched the show, too.
4. One performer juggled three balls while twirling hoops on her arm.
5. I would like to put on a show as good as hers.
B. Read the passage. Circle each possessive pronoun.
Toni practices her juggling act every day. She has a new book about juggling. Its cover shows people juggling with raw eggs. Their skill is amazing! Toni uses tennis balls when she practices. One day Toni’s dog grabbed one of the balls. Toni cried out, “No, Sitka. This ball is mine. Yours is on your doggie bed.”
C. Write a short passage about a performer you have seen in person or on TV. Use at least four possessive pronouns.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 9 25 Paper Animals
A. Read each sentence. Circle the possessive pronoun that correctly completes it. Then write the pronoun on the line.
1. Mai’s mom makes paper animals as hobby. (her, hers)
2. Mai watches mother make a butterfly. (her, his)
3. The butterfly looks real. wings are shaped perfectly. (Its, Her)
4. Mother says, “ grandparents learned to fold paper when they were growing up in Japan.” (Yours, Your)
5. “I have paper dogs and frogs that were ,” she explains. (theirs, their)
6. Grandfather was very well known for frogs. (our, his)
7. “ will never be as good as Grandfather’s,” Mai thinks. (My, Mine)
8. “Grandfather would be very pleased with ,” Mother says. (our, ours)
B. Write a short passage about a time a family member or friend taught you how to do something. Use at least four possessive pronouns.
26 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Make Them Laugh
A. Proofread the passage. Cross out five incorrect possessivePossessive pronouns. Pronouns WA14 Write the correct pronoun above it.
Some people spend his time practicing how to tell jokes.
They like to make people laugh. Axel, who goes to my school,
is a great joke teller. Your topics are usually funny. Gina,
another classmate, also tells jokes. I like his a lot. Axel also
likes her jokes. One day he asked Gina, “Will you teach me
one of your sometime?”
She replied, “Maybe we should put ours talents together
and come up with a show!”
B. Read the sentences. Then write a possessive pronounPossessive on the linePronouns to WA15 complete each one. 1. Ari studied many comedians, and he gathered jokes.
2. One day he decided to test act on Shana, who was only five.
3. Ari thought, “This is chance to see which jokes work.”
4. “The jokes you tell aren’t as funny as ,” Shana announced.
5. Frowning, Ari replied, “Well, then, why don’t you tell me ?”
C. Write a paragraph about someone who makes you laugh. Use five possessive pronouns.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 9 27 Louis the Yard Teacher
A. Read the sentences. Circle the relative pronoun in each one.
1. Glenda likes stories by writers who dream up crazy ideas.
2. Louis Sachar’s books, which are written for children, are her favorites.
3. Sachar’s first book, whose characters are based on real kids, takes place at a school.
4. Holes is a Sachar novel that won a Newbery Medal in 1999.
5. The character Louis, whom Mr. Sachar writes about in his Wayside School series, is based on the author’s life.
B. Read the passage. Circle each relative pronoun. Underline the word group it introduces.
Louis Sachar, whose family moved to California in 1963, now lives in Texas. During college he helped out in a school, which was called Hillside Elementary. He supervised children in the schoolyard. Sachar, whom the kids called “Louis the Yard Teacher,” loved working at the school. He says it was a great experience that changed his life.
C. Write a short passage about your favorite author. Use at least three of these relative pronouns: who, whose, whom, that, or which.
28 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Sacagawea
A. Read the sentences. Circle the relative pronoun that correctly completes each one. Write it on the line.
1. Sacagawea was a Native American woman helped the explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. (whom, who)
2. Sacagawea, name means “Bird Woman,” was from the Shoshone tribe. (which, whose)
3. Lewis and Clark were exploring the American West, stretches for thousands of miles. (who, which)
4. Sacagawea helped the men get the horses they needed to complete their journey. (that, who)
5. She also helped the Shoshone people, she had lived with as a child, communicate with the explorers. (whose, whom)
6. Many books have been written about Sacagawea, knowledge and skill helped the explorers succeed. (who, whose)
B. Write a short passage about a person you know or have read about who helped someone reach a goal. Use at least three of these relative pronouns: who, whose, whom, that, or which.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 10 29 Calamity Jane
A. Read the paragraph. Find four relative pronouns that Relativeare used Pronouns incorrectly. WA18 Cross out each one and write the correct pronoun above it.
Eli saw a movie about Calamity Jane, which lived in the Wild
West in the 1800s. Calamity Jane, whom real first name was
Martha Jane, was a great horseback rider. She grew up in Montana,
whose is in the northwestern part of the United States. Some
stories that may not be completely true have been told about Jane.
One tale, who is hard to believe, describes her swimming skill.
According to the story, she swam 90 miles up a river.
B. Draw a line from the sentence on the left to the word group on the right that tells more about the underlined words. Write the sentences on the lines. Then circle the pronouns. Relative Pronouns WA19
Calamity Jane lived in the Black Hills, who were sick with smallpox.
There Calamity Jane helped people that most people only dream of.
Calamity Jane had amazing adventures which are in South Dakota.
1.
2.
3.
C. Write a paragraph about someone you have read about or seen in a movie who has led an unusual life. Write five sentences using at least three of these pronouns: who, whose, whom, that, or which.
30 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book A Favorite Place
A. Read the sentences. Circle each pronoun. Then circle C if the pronoun correctly refers to the underlined noun. Circle I if the pronoun is incorrect.
1. Sara loves the playground in her neighborhood. C I
2. Sara’s brother sometimes goes with him. C I
3. The playground has a slide, and it is really tall. C I
4. Sara and Tyler spend his time at the climbing wall. C I
5. Tyler climbs well, and people cheer for her. C I
B. Read the sentences. Circle each pronoun and underline the noun it refers to. Then circle S if the pronoun is singular. Circle P if the pronoun is plural.
1. Sara and Tyler love exercise because it builds S P strong muscles.
2. Sara likes the playground because she has space S P to play.
3. Tyler says that the fresh air makes him feel good. S P
4. Some people nearby play music. Their tunes fill S P the air.
5. Sara and her friend say, “Our best times are at the S P playground.”
C. Write a short passage about why you like or don’t like playgrounds. Use at least three pronouns, making sure they correctly match the nouns they refer to.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 11 31 Ice-age Daydream
A. Read the sentences. Circle the pronoun that correctly refers to the underlined noun or nouns. Write the pronoun on the line.
1. Elliot loves the natural history museum with amazing ice-age display. (its, his)
2. Elliot gazes at the awesome creatures and wonders about lives. (its, their)
3. He pictures a herd of mammoths. are thundering across a plain. (They, It)
4. Nearby, a mother saber-toothed cat hides in a tree. is hunting for her family. (She, He)
5. Two cubs growl hungrily, baring razor-sharp teeth. (its, their)
6. “ wonder if saber-tooths hunted mammoths,” Elliot thinks to himself. (They, I)
7. Suddenly, Elliot feels a tap on shoulder. (her, his)
8. “I thought that was !” Elliot’s friend Luis says. (you, it)
9. Elliot snaps out of daydream. (their, his)
10. “The 3-D dinosaur movie is about to begin,” Luis says to Elliot. “ can watch it together.” (We, They)
B. Write a short passage about a place you like. Use at least three pronouns.
32 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book A Quiet Space
A. Read the paragraph. Find five pronouns that are used incorrectly. Cross Noun-Pronoun Agreement WA22 out each one and write the correct pronoun above it.
On Saturdays Julia likes to go to the library. He uses the
computers there. Julia also does their homework on the
computer. Sometimes Julia meets Lisa, and she study together.
Julia and Lisa often write his book reports in the library. Julia
also likes finding a new book and reading them in a cozy corner.
B. Read the sentences. Complete each sentence by writing the correct Noun-Pronoun Agreement WA23 pronoun on the line. Then circle the noun that it replaces.
1. Paula goes to the baseball field whenever can.
2. When baseball games are going on, Paula watches .
3. Other times Paula looks for kids who will play catch with .
4. On summer evenings, a soft, cool breeze blows. keeps Paula cool.
5. Paula says, “This is the perfect place for to relax and have fun!”
C. Write a paragraph about a place where you like to spend free time. Use five pronouns, making sure that each correctly matches the noun it is replacing.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 11 33 One Cool Pool
A. Read the sentences. Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence and write it on the line.
1. is a great public pool in our neighborhood. (Their, There, They’re)
2. I think one of the biggest pools around. (it’s, its)
3. is even a wading pool for little kids. (Their, There, They’re)
4. The pool deserves good reputation. (it’s, its)
5. The lifeguards get training in CPR. (their, there, they’re)
6. also trained to teach us how to swim. (Their, There, They’re)
7. Our town offers swim classes at main pool. (it’s, its)
8. I go after school twice a week. (their, there, they’re)
9. Swimming is fun, and a great form of exercise. (it’s, its)
10. much more fun to do this sport than watch it. (It’s, Its)
B. Write a paragraph about a place you like to go in your neighborhood. Use as many of these words as you can: their/there/they’re; its/it’s. Make sure you use each word correctly.
34 Being a Writer™ Student Skill Practice Book Field Trip
A. Read the sentences. Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence and write it on the line.
1. not going to believe what I did today! (Your, You’re)
2. I went with my brother the Air and Space Museum. (to, too, two)
3. We saw movies in 3-D at the theater. (to, too, two)
4. “Put on 3-D glasses!” my brother told me. (your, you’re)
5. “ about to see space junk flying right toward you!” (Your, You’re)
6. I had to laugh and my brother laughed, . (to, too, two)
7. After the movies, we went the main hall. (to, too, two)
8. We saw lots of famous aircraft, many to name! (to, too, two)
9. There is so much see at this museum! (to, too, two)
10. Put it on list of things to do in Washington, D.C. (your, you’re)
B. Write about something you would like to see in Washington, D.C. Use as many of these words as you can: to/too/two; your/you’re.
Nouns and Pronouns Lesson 12 35 It’s a Puzzle! Commonly Misused Words WA27 A. Use the words from t