English ClassCarols

Ms. Cher’s Class

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English Class CarolsWe Wish You Had Better Grammar

(to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)

I wish you had better grammar;I wish you had better grammar;I wish you had better grammar,

So let’s sing some songs.

Before Winter Break, we’ll go caroling.We’ll sing to the other classes these songs that we’ll learn.

We’ll spread lots of cheer and some grammar tips, too.I know they are silly, but these songs will help you!

I wish you had better grammar;I’ll teach you some better grammar;You will have much better grammar,

So let’s start right now!

General Table of ContentsSentence Structure Songs 3Essay Writing Process Songs 9

Proofreading Songs 15 Literature Songs

18Formal Voice Songs 22

Grammar Songs 25Reading/Writing Test Strategy Songs 32Greek & Latin Roots Songs 39Elements of Fiction Songs 41

Punctuation Songs 45Don’t Forget! Songs 52

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Complete Table of ContentsWhen You Want to Check Your Sentence (“On the First Day of Christmas”) 6Baby, You’re a Clause (“Cruise” by Florida-Georgia Line) 7Connecting Clauses (“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)I Had a Little Subordinate Clause (“I Had a Little Dreidel”)Subordinate Clauses (“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”) 8FANBOYS (“It’s a Small World”)FANBOYS Words are Good to Know (“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)How to Check Your Sentence (“Deck the Halls”) 9An Independent Clause (“The Itsy Bitsy Spider”)Sentence Errors (“Jack and Jill”)Fragments and Run-ons (“I Want Candy” by Aaron Carter) 10Outlining (“Jingle Bells”) 12Make an Outline (“Stayin’ Alive” by the Beegees) 13Do You Wanna Write an Essay? (“Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” from Frozen) 14Conclusions (“Tomorrow” from Annie) ` 15We All Need to Use More Transition Words (“Lean on Me” by ___) 16Proofreading (“Let it Snow”) 18CHARFACE (“Frere Jacques”)I Wanna Check Your Spelling (“I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles) 19Concrete Imagery & Figurative Language (“She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”) 21Literary Devices (“Turkey in the Straw”) 22Logical Fallacies Are Logical, Rhetorical Mistakes (“The Can-Can”) 23Formal Voice, Baby (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by ____) 25Formal Voice (“Let it Go” from Frozen) 26Homophones (“Jingle Bells”) 28Modifiers (“Dynamite” by Taio Cruz) 29Ending a Sentence with a Preposition (“Oops, I Did it Again” by Brittney Speares) 30Keep Your Verb Tenses The Same (“La Despedida” by Daddy Yankee) 31Double Negatives Ain’t No Good (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony) 32Parts of Speech (“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons) Prepositions (“Auld Lang Syne”) 33No Passive Voice (“A Whole New World” from Aladdin) 34It’s All About That TACE (“All About that Bass” by Meghan Trainor) 36Responding to Short Answer Questions (“Hot & Cold” by Katy Perry) 37Who Said that Quote, Sir? (“What Does the Fox Say?” by the internet)TACE (“Down by the Station”) 38How to Respond to Short Answer Questions (“Yankee Doodle”)I Don’t Know What This Word Means (“I Had a Little Dreidel”) 39

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Reading Test Strategies (“Yankee Doodle”) 40

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Complete Table of Contents (Cont’d)Write a Quote! (“Let it Go” from Frozen) 41Greek and Latin Roots (“Yankee Doodle”) 43Greek and Latin Roots II (“Story of My Life” by 1Direction) Elements of Fiction (“Build Me Up, Buttercup” by ___) 45The Characterization Song (“Pop Goes the Weasel”)Types of Conflict (“Firework” by Katy Perry) 46Elements of Plot (“The Lone Ranger” song) 47My Marks (“My Humps” by Black-Eyed Peas”) 49-50Radioactive Apostrophes (“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons) 51Apostrophes, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (“She Loves You” by the Beatles) 52Semicolons Are Coming to Town (“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”) You Are My Apostrophe (“You Are My Fire” by the Backstreet Boys) 53The Very Model of a Punctuation Genius (“The Major General Song” by G &S) 54How to Use an Apostrophe (“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”) 55You Have to Bring Your Own Supplies (“The Lone Ranger Song”) 57Write Your Name! (“If You’re Happy and You Know It”) Read the Directions (“Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles) 58Don’t Forget to Capitalize (“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey) 59Save Your Work (“Hey, Jude” by the Beatles) 60

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Sentence Structure

Songs

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When You Want to Check Your Sentence(to the tune of “On the First

Day of Christmas”)

When you want to check your sentence, the first thing you must do is to locate the first subject and the verb.

When you want to check your sentence, the next thing you must do is to look for a second subject, once you’ve located the subject and the verb.

When you want to check your sentence, the next thing you must do is to check each clause for hat words

if you found a second subject, once you’ve located the subject and the verb.

When you want to check your sentence, the next thing you must do is to check on the connector (based on where you see the hat words) if you found a second subject, once you’ve located the subject and the verb.

When you want to check your sentence, the last thing you must do

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is to fix your homophooooones, after checking the connector (based on where you see the hat words) if you found a second subject, after locating the subject and the verb.

Baby You’re a Clause(to the tune of “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line)

Baby, you’re a clauseIf you’ve got a subject and a verb insideOf yooooooooooooouuu…

Yeah, when I write a sentence, I gotta know what’s in it.If you don’t know now,I’ll tell you in a minute:It’s gotta have a subjectAnd also a verb, in factThat’s what makes itCorrect and complete!

Baby, you’re a clauseIf you’ve got a subject and a verb insideOf yoooooooouuu,And if you’re gonna wear a “hat word,”I’m gonna have to call you a subordinate clause.It’s truuuuuue!

‘Cause a subject is someone who does an action,And a verb is the action that someone does,So baby, you’re a clause If you’ve got a subject and a verb inside

Of yoooooouuu!

Connecting Clauses (to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)

How do you connect your clauses?

How do you connect your clauses?

How do you connect your clauses

To make one sentence?

Subordinate first, a comma will do.

If the first is independent, then you need no glue,

And if you have 2 independents, you need

A comma with a FANBOYS or a semicolon.

I Had a Little Subordinate Clause(To the tune of “Dreidle Dreidle”)

This clause starts with a hat word,So it can’t stand alone.

It needs an independent clauseTo make it sound all done!

Oh, hat words, hat words, hat words,In my dependent clause,

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I need to add more to it, Or poor grammar it will cause.

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Subordinate Clauses (to the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)

If it starts with a wordLike “if” or “unless,”“Whenever,” “wherever,” “Before,” or “because,”A subordinate clause is what it must be.

It’s got a subject and verb,And a ‘hat word’ in front,It can’t stand alone, butLink it up if you want,A subordinate clause is what it must be.

You know that it’s a ‘sub-clause’If the first word is a ‘hat,’Which tells you that it’s incompleteSo add an independent clause to that.

‘Cause if it starts with a wordLike “if” or “unless,”“Whenever,” “wherever,” “Before,” or “because,”A subordinate clause is what it

might beeeeeee!

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’

(to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

Yes, you can start a sentence with ‘because.’

(clap, clap)If you have an independent

clause behind.(clap, clap)

Separate ‘em with a comma,And there won’t be any drama.

‘Cause you can start a sentence with ‘because!’

FANBOYS(to the tune of “It’s a Small World”)

For, and, nor, but, or, yet, soFor, and, nor, but, or, yet, soFor, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

These words are the FANBOYS words

They are used to join 2 independent lines,

Use them like a semicolon every time.Put a comma before

It, then you need no more.These words are the FANBOYS words.

FANBOYS Words are Good to Know

(to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So,FANBOYS words are good to

know.They connect independent

clausesIf you put a comma in front.

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So,FANBOYS words are good to

know.

How to Check Your Sentence

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(to the tune of “Deck the Halls”)

This is how you check your sentence,

FalalalalalalalalaFirst, you find all verbs and

subjects,Falalalalalalalala

Then you check each clause for “hat words,”

FalalalalalalalalaFinally, fix the connector,

Falalalalalalalala

An Independent Clause(to the tune of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”)*This song was written by students Lindsey Certil, Ethan Drillich, Madison Rosenfeld, and Ryan Cordero!* An independent clause has a subject and a verb.Don’t make it subordinate by adding a ‘hat word.’That’s how you make an independent clause,

And an independent clause can be a sentence by itself!Sentence Errors(to the tune of “Jack and Jill”)

A fragment is a sentence thatIs short a subject or a verb.Or a sub-clause all alonePretending to be a whole sentence.

A run-on is when you combineTwo independent clausesWith just a comma or a space,To indicate that it pauses

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Fragments and Run-ons(to the tune of “I Want Candy” by Aaron Carter)

I’ve got a subject, but no verb,Just a name without an action.Can you help? I’m so disturbedBy this grammatical infraction!

Ooooo…

It’s a fragment! Add an action!It’s a fragment!Add an action!

This sentence has a verb, alright,But there is no noun in sight.I don’t know who’s doing this stuff. Name this, even if it’s tough!

Oooooo…

It’s a fragment!Add a subject!It’s a fragment!Add a subject!

I’ve got a verb and a subject, too.No, wait a second! I have two!Just a comma or a space between.Tell me, please, what does this mean?

It’s a run-on!Add a semicolon!Or a conjunction!Or a period!

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Essay Writing Process Songs

Outlining (to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)

Your main idea first,Then topic sentences,

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And then you need some evidence to prove your claims are true,Connect your evidenceBack to your main idea,

Concession and rebuttal, in conclusion, then you’re done Hey, outlining, outlining,Organize your thoughts!

Before you start your essay, this can help you lots and lots,Hey! Outlining, outlining,

It can save you time,Keeps you focused, keeps you clear,

And doesn’t cost a dime!

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Make an Outline(to the tune of “Stayin’ Alive,” by the Beegees)

Well, you can tell by the way I arrange my thoughtsI’m a thesis man,No time to talk.State my claim, and then back it upWith evidenceTo prove I’m right.

Now it’s all right,Yeah it’s ok,I wouldn’t write no other way.Restate my claimIn different wordsConcession and rebuttal, son.

When you write an essayYou don’t want it to be messySo you make an outline,Make an outline

First you write your thesis-That’s your answer and 3 reasonsThen you break it all downBreak it all down

Ah, ah, ah, ah, make an outliiiiiiiiiine…

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Do You Wanna Write an Essay?(to the tune of “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” from the movie “Frozen”

Do you wanna write an essay?Do you want it to be strong?Then a thesis is the place to start,Your answer and Three reasons why it’s right.Then you write out those 3 reasons,And space them outWith 7 to 10 blank lines.Do you wanna write an essay? This is how you write an essay.Let’s move on…

Do you wanna write an essay? Prove your claims with evidence.Tell a story or an anecdote,That really does support The statements that you made.You must give 2 examplesFor every claim

As detailed as you can be!Do you wanna write an essay? This is how you write an essay…

Do you wanna end your essay?Now it’s time to wrap it up, Start your conclusion by admitting thatThere is one weakness in the argument you made.Follow that with a rebuttal, To explain whyYour argument is still right!Do you wanna write an essay?I think that you just wrote an essay.Now you’re done!

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Conclusions(to the tune of “Tomorrow” from Annie)

Don’t know how to writeConclusions?First, you start by restating your thesis,Main ideaaaaa…Then write out each to-pic sentenceUsing different words than in your intro,After that…Next admit there’s a hole within your argument,Follow up with why youAre stillCorreeeeeeeeeeeect…

Ooooohhh…

Your thesis,Three reasons,Concession,Rebuttal.Conclusions,That’s how it’s done(Repeat)

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We All Need to Use More Transition Words(to the tune of “Lean on Me”)

Sometimes when we write,We end one thought,And start a new oneBut, if we are wise,We know there’s stillSomething needs doin’.

Transitions.They help your flooow,Between one idea,And whatever follooooows,But Always make sureYour transition words Have some kind of nuance!

You just can’t pick a random

Word out of thin air!We all need to use more Transition words!You must choose one that fits withWhat’s already there.We all need to use moreTransition words!

They can be quite subtleLike “also” or “then,”Or they can be obvious,Like “For example,”Or “This is why,”Or “In conclusion.”

Transitions, They help your floooow… (etc)

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Proofreading Songs

Proofreading(to the tune of “Let it Snow”)

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Oh, the grammar in here is frightful,And the spelling is not all right, so

There’s only one thing to do:Read it through

Read it through Read it through (x3)

First you carefully scan each line,And you fix all mistakes that you find,Then you read it out loud to yourself,To make sure that it all sounds fine.

Oh the grammar in here is frightful, But my editing skills are delightful,

So before I can show it to you,(I’ll) Read it through (X3)

Read it through!

Oh, my homophone use is spiffy,But my commas are kinda ‘iffy,’

There’s only one thing to do:

CHARFACE (or “What to Check When You Are Proofreading”)

To the tune of “Frere Jacques”

Capitalization, Homophones,Apostrophes,

Run-ons and fragments,Run-ons and fragments,

Answer, cite, explain/expand,Answer, cite, explain/expand,Proofread now!Proofread now!

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I Wanna Check Your Spelling(to the tune of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles)

Oh, when you’reWriting something,You awesome writer, you,Before youPost that something,Please let me read it throuuugh!

I wanna check your spe-e-e-e-elling!I wanna read it through!

Oh, pleaseSay to meYour homophones are right,And please Say to meYou’ll let me check it tonight!

I wanna check your spelling!I wanna read it through!

When you misspell words,I feel icky inside.It feels so icky that my judgmentI can’t hide!

I can’t hide!Must reviiiiiiiise!

Yeah, you’reWriting something.I see it under your arm.Please let meProofread that something.Come on now! What’s the harm????

I wanna check your spelling!I wanna read it through!

When you use text-speak, I feel cranky inside.That winking smiley hurts my soul.I can’t hide!I can’t hide!NGL!!!!!

I wanna check your spelling!I wanna read it through!I wanna read it through-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo!

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Literature Songs

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Concrete Imagery & Figurative Language(to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”)

If you want to paint a picture with your words,Imagery is what you’d use then to be heard,You can use descriptive language,Lots of details and adjectives,That’s how you paint a picture with your words.

Concrete imagery is literally true,These descriptions you can take at ‘face value,’You should always be specific,So your imagery is vivid,Concrete imagery is literally true.

If it’s figurative language that you use,Your descriptions are not literally true,Metaphors, exaggerations,And your personifications,When it’s figurative language that you use!

(Repeat chorus)

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Literary Devices(to the tune of “Turkey in the Straw”)

Metaphors compare two things directlyWhich are not alike,And a simile does the same But with a word like “as” or “like,”Apostrophe means talking to Something that’s not alive,And hyperbole’s an overstatementMeant to make a point.

Sensory details Or vivid imageryAre when you tell your readerWhat you hear and smell and see, Catachresis is a startling orWeird-o metaphor,And a simile is—whoops,I think I said that one before… :/

Alliteration is the repetition of a sound,And onomatopoeia words can imitate a sound.A personification gives a human qualityTo an object or an animal that’s not like you and me.

A motif is a metaphor that happens more than once,Compares two things directly for at least a couple lines.Symbolism uses colors, objects, animals and names, To represent ideas that are subtly the same.

These are the literary devices!

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The Fallacies are Logical, Rhetorical Mistakes(to the tune of The Can-Can)

Appealing to emotions is called Ad Misericordiam.Bandwagon, or Ad PopulumSays ‘what is popular is right,’And Slipp’ry Slope assumes thatOne small step must cause catastrophe,Like ‘legalizing drugs must lead toLegalizing harder drugs.’

Post Hoc (false cause)Says when two events occurClose together,The first one must have caused the next.

Ipse Dixit,Calls on false authority;‘If someone famousSays it, then it’s true!’

Hasty GeneralizationDraws a premature conclusion, Based on insufficient evidence,And Dicto Simpliciter reducesComplicated issuesTo make them seem like They are black and white.

The fallacies are logical, rhetorical mistakes!

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Formal Voice Songs

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Formal Voice, Baby(to the tune of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,”)

Listen, baby,Ain’t no smilies or slang,

Ain’t no “I” or “you,”And there ain’t no contractions, baby!

Don’t say ‘kind of’ or ‘maybe,’Don’t say ‘sorta’ or ‘well,’

Or ‘in my opinion,’Be professional, baby.

Proofread for your mistakes,Including fragments or run-ons,

Or misused homophones…

Chorus:

‘Cause baby, there ain’t no slang in formal voice,Ain’t no ‘I’ ‘you,’ ‘my’ or ‘yours,’

No contractions or errors,When you are writing in formal voice, babe,

When you apply for a job,With a resume,

And a cover letter, always write this way, When you write to your boss,Or write an essay for class,

Your voice should always be formal,No slang and no sass,‘Cause baby, there…

Chorus…

Formal Voice(to the tune of “Let it Go!” from the movie Frozen.)

When you are writing an essay for class,Or a resume for a job,

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You have to make sure your writer’s voiceDoesn’t make you sound like a slob.No more contractions, and no grammar errors, too.And no more slang at all,And no more “I” or “you.”

So check your work, Catch your mistakes.Do your best no matter what it may take.Check every homophone again,So your writing’s in…

Formal voice! Formal voice!There’s no “I,” “my,” “me,” or “you.”Formal voice! Formal voice!No slang or contractions, too.No fragments, and no run-ons, too.And no weasel words…(And don’t over-use exclamation points!!!)

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Grammar Songs

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Homophones

(to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)

Chorus: Homophones, homophones, Words that sound the same,

But if you mix them up then they will make you sound insane,Hey! Homophones, homophones,

Proofread carefully,Unless you want your writing to be totally crazy!

The form of “you’re” that’s splitWith an apostrophe

Is actually 2 words; it’s a contraction of ‘you are,’The other form refers

To what belongs to ‘you,’So keep them straight unless you want to cause a big snafoo!

(Chorus…)

There are 3 forms of ‘there.’The one that ends with ‘r’

Refers to what belongs to ‘them,’ as in, ‘it’s their guitar.’The one that ends with ‘here’

Describes a certain place.The one with an apostrophe is 2 words: ‘they’ and ‘are.’

(Chorus…)

The “its” without a ‘tail’Means what belongs to it.

The one with an apostrophe is 2 words: ‘it’ and ‘is.’You spell ‘then’ with an ‘e’When you are telling time,

But spell it with an ‘a’ when you’re comparing (this won’t rhyme).

(Chorus…)

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Modifiers(to the tune of “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz)

I know my adverbs from my adjectives,Modifiers, modifiers!I am discerning with describing words,Modifiers, modifiers!

I find the ob-ob-object(The word I’m trying to describe-scribe-scribe-scribe)I figure out which part of speech, speech, speech, speechTells me which modifier to use, use, use, use.

Should I say good or well?How can I tell, tell, TELL???

An adjective describes all kinds of nouns,Or a pronoun, or a pronoun.

Adverbs describe adverbs and adjectives,Or an action, or an action.

Words that end with ‘-ly’ Are usually adverbs.You can use them toModify a verb.‘Cause the object ofYour modifier tellsYou when you should say ‘good’And when you should say ‘well,’I find the ob-ob-object…

Should I say good, or well?That’s how you tell, tell, tell!

Some adverbs also can be adjectives,All depending on the context.You have to read the sentence carefullyWhen you’re choosing a modifier.

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Oops, I Did It Again(to the tune of the song by the same name by Brittney

Speares)

Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah… (x 4)

I think I did it again.I know that it’s wrongTo end things this way…

Oh baby,

Words like ‘to,’ ‘from’ and ‘towards’Are not the right wo-o-ordsTo end sentences with.When I make this unfortunate mistake,All my writing sounds incomplete! Oh baby, baby,

Oops, I did it again.I ended a sentenceWith a preposition.Oh baby, baby,Oops, you think it’s not done,That there’re more words to coooome.It’s not grammatical!

You see my problem is this:Prepositions are meant For linking your subjects or objects to verbs,But when it comes at the end,There’s nothing to link to.That’s why it sounds wrooong.

So when you use ‘Under,’ ‘in,’ ‘besides’ or ‘at,’ Just make sure it’s not the last word!

Oooooh…

Oops, I did it again.

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I ended a sentenceWith a preposition…. (etc)

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Keep Your Verb Tenses the Same(to the tune of “La Despedida” by Daddy Yankee

When you write a story in the present,Switching tenses is not very pleasant.Shouldn’t need a time machineTo parse your sentence. Please,Keep your verb tenses the same!Keep your verb tenses the same!Be consistent!

You can’t start your sentenceBy saying “She looks good,”And end that same sentenceWith “and she thought she could.”The first part is in the present tense,The last part has switched to past tense, and Your reader is now very mixed up!

You’re not a Time Lord,Like Dr. Who was;You cannot jump through time and space like he does.So when you’re writing,Check every sentence,Until you’re sure your tenses are consistent!(No Time Warps!)

When you write your story in the present…

Double Negatives Ain’t No Good(to the tune of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, that part everyone knows)

Double negatives ain’t no good.They don’t make no sense at all.One word cancels out the other,

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And you’re left with a positive.

Adverbs can be so confusing,So you must remember this:No, you shouldn’t never not use no more double negatives!

Parts of Speech

(to the tune of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons)Dedicated to Mrs. Ebarle

An adverb’s likeAn adjectiveThat can describe the way you do something.It often endsWith an “ly”Whooooooaa

A pronoun wordLike “she” or “I”Can take the place of another noun,So you don’t have to say its name,Whoooa

Chorus: A noun’s a person, place, idea, or thing.A verb’s an action word.And adjectives describe things.They describe things.And adjectives describe things.They describe things…

Whoooooooaaa-ohWhoooooooaaa-ohThese are the parts of speech.These are the parts of speech!(Repeat)

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Prepositions(to the tune of “Auld Lang Sine,” that song we sing on New Year’s Eve when the ball drops)

A preposition is a wordThat links two other words. Don’t mix your prepositions up,Or else you will sound absurd.

To, from, on, off, around beside,Between, with, and until.These all are preposition words,And remember them you will!

A preposition’s used to linkA subject to a verb,And a prepositional phrase containsA preposition word (shout out: but it’s not a clause!)

To, from, on, off, around, beside,Between, with, and until.These all are preposition words,And remember them you will!

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No Passive Voice

(to the tune of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin)

Writing in passive voice

Makes your sentences weaker.

Active verbs make your writing

Sound more powerful instead.

This is in passive voice:

“Jeff was beaten by Leslie.”

Make that sentence more active, by saying

“Leslie beat up Jeff.”

No passive voice!

Eliminate those extra words.

Writing in active voice

Is your best choice

When polishing your writing.

No passive voice!

Say “who did what” not “done by whom,”

Just get right to the point.

Don’t disappoint.

Active voice is how great writers write.

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Reading and Writing Test Strategies

Songs

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It’s All About that TACE(to the tune of “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor)

Because you know it’sAll about that TACE,‘Bout that TACE,No ramblin’! (Repeat x3)‘Bout that TACE-TACE-TACE-TACE…

I start by mentioningTitle, and author, too.Answer the question, then,Like I’m supposed to do.I gotta use my own words,Not state the obvious,And then I cite my source with quotesAnd then explain it.

I see those other kidsAnswer without a plan.You know that’s not the wayCome on and TACE it, man!And if you finish early,Go back and check it up,‘til every word is perfectFrom the bottom to the top.

Yeah my teacher, she told me,“Don’t ever forget to quote,”She said, “You’ve got to prove it,Then explain your proof, you know.”Yeah, my teacher, she told me,“Don’t ever forget to quote,”So now I write my answersWithout needing any notes.

Because you know I’m all about that TACE…

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Responding to Short-Answer Questions (to the tune of “Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry)

WhenYou respondTo short an-swer questions,You mustWrite much moreThan a sen-tence or two.This for-mula helpsYou to fill Your answerWith your proof,And all that other stuuuuuuuuff…

First you restate the questionIn your answerBy using some wordsThat the question used.Then prove each claim withExamples and quotesDirect from the textThat show you are right.

ThenYou explain what every quote meansBy putting them into your own words, oh!

Then wrap it all upBy explaining howYour evidence proves

Your thesis is right.

Who Said That Quote, Sir?(to the tune of “What Does the Fox Say?”)

When you writeAn essay orA paragraphAbout a text,You need quotesTo prove your claims,And you find them in the text.Don’t change a wordOf any quote,That’s inside quotation marks!But there’s one thingThat you must tell us…Who said that quote, Sir?

Acc-cc-cc-cc-ccording to the author…The na-na-na-narrator tells us…In the words of cha-cha-cha-characters…Who said this quote, Sir? In the pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-passage…In that cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-chapter…On page f-f-f-f-f-f-fifty…Who said that quote, Sir?

He said, she said, claimed or swore,Told us, showed us, maybe more,

On page one hundred and four.Who said that quote, Sir?

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TACE(to the tune of “Down By The Station”)

When you do short answers,You must write a paragraph,Not just a sentence,And don’t forget a quote!Use the TACE format:Answer, cite, explain/expand.Use TACE (USE TACE!)       Here is how:

First you start by writing The title and the author. Then answer the question Using your own words. Then you give a quote, and Don’t forget quotation marks! Explain. Expand. Then you’re done.

How to Respond to Short Answer Questions(to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”)

First you must restate the question. Then you must give evidence,Some quotes and phrases from the textThat prove your answer sentence.Then you must explain some moreMaking a connection,To self, to world, or other textsThen you’ve answered the question!

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I Don’t Know What This Word Means…(to the tune of “I Had a Little Dreidel”)

I don’t know what this word means,So what should I do now?I ought to use my context clues,And I will tell you how:

First read all of that sentence,Then cover up the word,You figure out the meaning,Then you write a synonym.

I don’t know what this word means,So what should I do now?I ought to break it down a bit,And I will tell you how:

First, see if there’s a word in thereThat you already know,Then check prefix and suffixesAnd then you’re good to go!

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Reading Test Strategies(to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”)

Read the questions. Mark them up By highlighting the key words.Especially numbers, dates, and names To look for in the passageThen you read the passage TWICEHunting for those key words,Then you go back to the questions,And fill in the answers.

Look for words like ‘best’ or ‘most’Or ‘not,’ ‘except’ or ‘unless.’Make sure you understand directionsWell before you answer.When you’ve answered every one,Don’t just close and sit there!Read each question carefully In case something you missed there!

Questions on the FSA can sometimes need two answers,Or you might have to highlight evidence within the passage.Read directions carefully.Don’t be fooled or messed with,‘Cause this is an important testThat you should do your best with!

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Write a Quote!(to the tune of “Let it Go!” from Frozen)

When you are writing a paper for class,Or an essay for a test,You have to make sure each claim you makeIs supported by the text.You can’t just state your own opinion and move on.You have to prove it’s trueBefore you carry on.

So cite your source,And give some quotes,And make sure that you use quotation marks.It’s critical, so take the time,‘Til your writing shiiiiiines…

Write a quote!Write a quoteGive the page and speaker’s nameWrite a quote!Write a quoteEvery time you make a claim.

No paragraphIs quite complete untilYou can back it uuuuuup…

Your reader will not take your word for it!

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Greek and Latin Roots

Songs

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Greek & Latin Roots(to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”)

“Sub” means under,“Super” over,“Graph” and “Gram” mean words, and“Bene”s good, and “Mal” is bad,And “phobia” means fear of./*“Poly” many,“Mono” one,“Ceed” and “cess” mean step or go,“Ex” is outside,“Di” is two,And “philia” means love of.

“Port” means carry,“Spect” means look,And “ology” means study of,“Dict” is word,And “ven” means come,And “epi” means outside of.

“Chrom” is color,“Chron” is time,“Dia” means across, and“Sol” means lonely, “Co” together,“Mater” mother, “pater” dad.

Greek & Latin Roots II

(to the tune of “Story of My Life” by One Direction)

Tele means distant, And arch means a leader or head.Bibli is book, andViv means alive, and mort is dead.Phobia means fear of something,Philia means love of something, too.You can build words and decode them With Greek and Latin roots.

Macro is big, and micro’s small.Photo means light, and omni’s all.Super means above, and sub below,And inter means between…

So mono is one,And bi is two,Pseudo means fake,And ver means truuuuuue….In Greek and Latin roooots…

And bene means good,And mal is bad.Mater means mom,And pater’s daaaaad…In Greek and Latin rooooots!

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Elements of Fiction Songs

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Elements of Fiction(to the tune of “Build Me Up, Buttercup”)

What can you tell me ‘bout (tell me ‘bout)The elements of fiction?They’re ingredients (ingredients)That all stories have,Like the plot, which is (plot, which is)The structure of the story,Or the setting, which (setting, which)Is where it takes place.

And the characters areAll the folks in the story,The conflict’s the problem or fiiiight.The elements (elements)Of fiction areWhat all stories share.

The Characterization Song(to the tune of “Pop Goes the Weasel”)

Protagonist is the main character;Antagonists oppose him.

Round characters are realistic.Flat ones are boring.

Dynamic people undergo changesAll throughout the story.

Static ones just stay the same,And “agency” means ‘power.’

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Types of Conflict(to the tune of “Firework” by Katy Perry)

If you see a fightBetween 2 people, thenThat’s external conflict.Call it ‘man vs. man.’

If your characterFights a ghost or god,That’s supernaturalVs. human then.

And if a person fightsAgainst the internet,Or with a robot, thenThat’s man vs. technology.

And if a person fights A group of people or,An institution, that’svs. society.

‘Cause aaaall these aaaaaareThe cooooonflict typesExteeeeernal oooorInteeeernaaal fights…

(Chorus:)‘Cause Baby, that’s how cooonflict works,We struggle ‘gainst the uuuniverse,It’s internal when you fight yourself,And external when it’s someone else.

(Repeat chorus)

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Plot Elements(to the tune of “The Lone Ranger song”)

The exposition happens first.That’s when we meet the characters, Explore the setting in this partBefore the story really starts.

In rising action, conflicts comeAnd things get tense for everyone.The climax is the turning pointWhen problems must be overcome!

In falling action, things cool down,They’re sorting all their problems out.The resolution wraps it up,(It’s also called the ‘denoument!’)

Exposition

Climax

Rising Action Falling Action

Resolution

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Punctuation Songs

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My Marks(to the tune of “My Humps” by

Black-eyed Peas)

Whatcha gonna do with all those dots,All those funky lines and dots?I’ma punk-punk-punk-punk-punctuate,Punctuate my sentences,My marks, my marks, My marks, my marks, my marks,My punctuation marks,Check it out:

A semicolon fusesTwo independent clauses,Parentheses are used fo’All non-essential info,

Apostrophes connect two wordsCombined in a contraction,And also in possessives,Verbs and plurals get no action.

You use an exclamation point When you’re feelin’ emphatic,But do not over-use it, orYou’ll sound melodramatic.

Quotation marks are good forDenoting words that ain’t yours,Elipses (that’s the ‘dot dot dot’)You shouldn’t use a lot lot lot‘Cause they make you sound lazy,Or just a little hazy.They mean “so forth and so on,”

Or “I don’t want to go on.”For stuff that’s interrogative,You use a question mark,

My marks, my marks,my marks, my marks, my marks,My punctuation marks, My marks, they got you,

She’s punctuatin’…Oh, markin’ all my commas and quotes, In all my essays and notes,She’s punctuatin’…Oh, makin’ all my writin’ sound good,And makin’ sense like it should.

Whatcha gonna do with all those dots,All those funky lines and dots?I’ma punk-punk-punk-punk-punctuate,Punctuate my sentences,Whatcha gonna do with all them keys,All them keys on top o’ that board? I’ma punk-punk-punk-punctuate,Punctuate with all my marks, My marks, my marks, My marks, my marks, my marks,My punctuation marks,Check it out:

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I met a girl down at the disco,She said hey hey hey yea, lets go,I said, “Honey, wait up; lemme punctuate ya’,Separate those ‘heys’ and ‘yeas’ With my lil’ friend the comma,

Comma, comma, comma,Comma closed quotation marks,Comma, comma, comma, Comma, closed quoooootes…”

These people with their cell phones,With all their apps and ringtones, They’re always sendin’ messagesThat don’t have punctuation,“Youre sexy hows it going”Hey, playa, ain’t you knowin’?

You don’t have to, but if you don’tPunctuate it, Playa’,

You’re gonna have a run-on,You don’t want no run-ons,No, no run-ons,No, no, no, no run-ons.

So don’t skimp on the dots, boy,‘Case you forgot, boy.I’m jus’ try’na say, boy,Check out my marks,

My marks, my marks,

My marks, my marks, my marks, My marks, my marks, My marks, my marks, my marks,My punctuation marks, My punctuation marks, In the back and in the front, (Of my sentences)

She’s punctuatin’…Oh, markin’ all my commas and quotes, In all my essays and notes,She’s punctuatin’…Oh, makin’ all my writing make sense,Showin’ where each sentence ends.

Whatcha gonna do with all those dots,All those funky lines and dots? I’ma punk-punk-punk-punk-punctuate,Punctuate my sentences,

Whatcha gonna do with all them keys,All them keys on top o’ that board? I’ma punk-punk-punk-punctuate,Puctu8, punctu8!

(Awkward heavy breathing for several beats)

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Radioactive Apostrophes(to the tune of “Radioactive”)

Possessive wordsThey referTo objects that are owned by somebody.They end with anApostrophe ‘s.’ Whoooooooooah!

Contraction wordsCombine 2 wordsWhile leaving out some of their letters, soThe apostrophe Just takes their place,Whooooah…

(Chorus:)

I don’t know how To use apostrophes.Someone explain them, please?Possessives and contractions,And contractions, Possessives and contractionsAnd contractions!

Whooooooah!Whooooooah!Usin’ apostrophes!Usin’ apostrophes! (Repeat^)

There are some wordsThat you may thinkRequire apostrophes inside of themLike plurals and verbsThat end with ‘s,’Nooooooooooooo!

But here’s the truth:These words don’t needApostrophes; in fact it would be wrongTo punctuate these words at all,So nooo…

I don’t know howTo use apostrophes.Someone explain them, please?Possessives and contractions,And contractions, Possessives and contractionsAnd contractions!

Whooooooah!Whooooooah!Usin’ apostrophes!Usin’ apostrophes!

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Apostrophes, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!(to the tune of “She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” by the

Beatles)

Apostrophes, yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (repeat 3 times)

Apostrophes don’t goIn plurals or in verbs,

They only can be usedIn certain kinds of words.

They’re in contractionsSuch as “isn’t” “can’t” or “you’re,”

And in possessivesThat show whom something belongs toooo…

Oooooo…

Apostrophes, yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (repeat 2 times)

‘Cause possessives andContractions are the keeeey…

(Repeat last stanza)

Semicolons(to the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)

With a dot on the top, And a comma below,

It’s the coolest punctuation mark that I’ve ever known.

Semicolons are coming to town.

You use it when you’re linking Two independent lines. Don’t use it with 2 sub clauses,

Or a fragment you will find!

So, put a dot on the top And add a comma below, For the most swaggerlicious Punctuation you know

Semicolons are coming to town!

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You Are My Apostrophe(to the tune of “You Are My Fire” by the Backstreet Boys)

Use it in some words,But not in others,But which is which, you say?When do you use an apostrophe?

It looks like a comma that can fly,Punctuation in the sky,Please tell me,When do you use an apostrophe?

(Chorus:)APOSTROPHEYou use it in contractions,APOSTROPHEYou use it in possessivesAPOSTROPHE,But when you’re writing plurals or verbs,DON’T USE AN APOSTROPHE!

When you leave letters out Of words, an apostrophe takes their pla-a-ace,Like can’t or won’t,You need an apostrophe!

(Chorus)APOSTROPHE…

Now you may think thatWords like “hers” and “yours”Would need an apostrophe,NOO-OO!For some reason, these wordsAre irregularSo they’re punctuation-freeeeeeee!

Use it in some words,But not in others.But which But whichBut which is which?

It's so confusing!

You use it in contractions,You use it in possessives,But when you're writing plurals or verbs,Leave out the apostrophe!

APOSTROPHE-E-E-E-E-E...You use it in contractions,APOSTROPHEBut when you’re writing plurals or verbs,Don’t use an apostrophe.

Oooh, I can use an apostropheeeee…

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The Very Model of a Punctuation Genius(to the tune of “The Very Model of a Modern Major General” by

Gilbert and Sullivan)

I am the very model of a punctuation genius,I know my comma, colon, slash, and others miscellaneous.

I finish every sentence with a period or question mark,Or else an exclamation point if it’s a vehement remark.

A colon is for joining independent clauses to a list.A semicolon joins two independent clauses. Here’s a twist:Those independent clauses must be logically related, and…

You cannot use a semicolon after a conjunction word. (Repeat 3 times)

A slash can separate two words that are used interchangeably, A dash can hyphenate two words to build a new one strange-ily

Thus, when it comes to matters of the marks we put in sentences,You’ll find that English teachers are the punctuation geniuses.

A comma has more uses in a sentence than Swiss Army Knives.It indicates the point at which the time to stop and breathe arrives.

It stands between the items in a list to keep them separate,Before an independent clause that follows a subordinate.

When you address someone by name, you need a comma fore and aft.You also use a comma ‘tween two adjectives if you’re not daft.

And it precedes conjunction words like “for,” “and, “nor,” “but,” “so” “yet” “or,”

And framing non-essential words is also what a comma’s for. (Repeat 3 times)

When you use words like “well,” or “yes,” you need a comma followin’It separates a city from the state that it’s located in,

And isolates appositives. It really is ubiquitous,So leaving out a comma is grammatically ridiculous! (Repeat)

Parentheses are used to separate the non-essential stuff,And brackets do the same when the parentheses aren’t strong enough.

Apostrophes are used in your contractions and possessive-es,(But don’t use them in verbs or plurals, even if they end with ‘s!’)

You have to use quotation marks when you are quoting other folks,But when you change their words around or shorten them, use single quotes.

Thus, when it comes to matters of the marks we put in sentences,You’ll find that English teachers are the punctuation geniuses! (Repeat)

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Apostrophe Rules(to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)

How, how do you useUse apostrophes?Contractions and possessives, butNOT in plurals and verbs!

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Don’t Forget! Songs

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You Have to Bring Your Own Supplies!(to the tune of “The Lone Ranger” song)

You have to bring your own supplies, You have to bring your own supplies,You cannot always borrow mine,You have to bring your own supplies!

You have to bring a pencil, pen, and paper with you every day.You have to be responsible.If you forget,It’s not OK!

You have to bring your own supplies,You have to bring your own supplies,You cannot always borrow mine,You have to bring your own supplies!

Write Your Name!(to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re turning in your homework, write your name.If you’re turning in your classwork, write your name.If you want to get the credit,Show me you’re the one who did it.When you’re handing in assignments, write your name!

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Read the Directionsto the tune of “Here Comes the Sun”

Multiple choiceIsn’t easyEspecially whenYou don’t readDirections(‘Cause if you don’t read them,You won’t know what kind of answer...)

Certain questionsMay call for more than one right answer.Other questionsAsk you to highlight evidence.

Look for key wordsAnd for clue wordsLike “best” or “most”Or “except,”(In all caps)‘Cause these are the words that can change up your answer choices.

Always readThe directions (x2)

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Don’t Forget to Capitalize(to the tune of “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey)

If it’s a proper noun,A title or a person’s name,You have to capitalize the first le-e-tter.

The title of a book,Names of months and days of the week,You have to capitalize the first le-e-tter.

The first word in each sentence, too,Remember that, whatever you do,You have to start each word With an upper, upper, upper caaase!

People’s titles,Mr., Ms., or Sir or Dr.,Cities, countries, and the liiiike,

First personPronouns, Brands and nationalities,These all start with Upper-caaaaaase!

Don’t forgetTo capitalizeThe first word in each sentence,Place names, people,Whooooooa…. (Repeat)

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Hey You, Save Your Work!(to the tune of “Hey Jude” by the Beatles)

Hey you,Don’t be a fool.When you’ve typed it, make sure you’ve saved iiit.The minute you save it onto a disk,There’s no more risk That you might lose it.

Hey you, Don’t be afraid.You can alwaysGo back and ediiit.But if you forget to hit “Cntl + Save,”You just might findThat youRegret it.

And any time you walk away,Hit ‘Save,’ in caseThe internet or computer spazzes,For well you know that it’s a foolWho plays it coolAssuming a MacBook never crashes…Hahahahaha…

Hey you,You’ve worked so hard.You don’t want toHave to rewrite iiit.The minute you click that little icon,You can move on ‘cuz you’ve finalized it.

Na na na na na na na,Na na na na,Hit “Save!”(Repeat ad nauseum)

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UPCOMING SONGS TO BE PARODIED

“It’s a Small World”

“London Bridge”

“La Bamba”

“I’m a Believer”

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