The Language Branch

 Sounds

• What method do we use to write down our ideas? (symbols called numbers and letters)
• How many symbols do we have in the English language? (26)
• How many sounds do we have in the English language? (70)
• Write out some of the sounds you know. (th, sh, ough, etc.)
• You are an orthographist. What is Orthography?
• Write down the definition of orthography (to draw or write symbols for sounds)
• The Branches of Sounds (orthography) are phonetics, spelling, comprehension, elocution, and penmanship

Words 

• Say the word “screwedun” ask them if they know the meaning.
• What is wrong with that word? (mixed up, should read “unscrewed”)
• Say the word “parable” emphasizing the wrong syllable.
• What is wrong with that word? (the syllable or emphasis is in the wrong place)
• How do we distinguish words from other words? (with a space between)
• Look up and share some cool words from the dictionary.
• You are an etymologist. What is Etymology? (the origin of words)
• Write out the definition in your notebook.
• The Branches of Words (etymology) are word analysis and vocabulary expansion.

Sentences

• “Goes downtown boy the” Is this the proper order to write a sentence?
• Why doesn’t this make sense?
• Does it mater the order in which we write words?
• Find and read a sentence from the scriptures. Make sure  you start with a capital and read till you find a period.
• You completed a syntax exercise. What is Syntax? (the construction of sentences)
• Write the definition.
• “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence brings, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”” Hymn 136
• Scramble several sentences see if your family can unscramble them.
• The Branches of Sentences (syntax) are parts of speech, sentence analysis, grammar

Style 

• Share several Nursery Rhymes with your children.
• Why do we love to hear these verses?
• What is your favorite nursery rhyme? Recite it.
• You just recited a poem. What is a poem? (look it up in the 1828 Dictionary)
• Record the definition in your notebook.
• Poetry doesn’t have to rhyme, but it does have a rhythm, read a few poems to discover their rhythm.
• The Branches of Style (prosody) are figures of speech, versification, stress, poetry and works of poets.

 Whole Works

• Draw a book about something that happened to them last week. Draw four pictures to tell the whole story.  
• Write words that go with the pictures and share it with someone
• You just created a composition. What is Composition? (the act of forming a whole by placing together different things)
• Record what you learned about complete works.
• The Branches of Whole Works (composition) are developing ideas, proofreading, art of writing, types of writings

 Communication

• What are some non-verbal indicators?
• What does it mean “to understand is better than to be understood”?
• What are some do’s and don’t’s in giving a talk in Sacrament meeting?
• Record what communication means to you
• The Branches of Communication are speaking, listening, elocution, audience and nonverbal communication