Mastering Language Structures: A Fun and Engaging Activity for Your Middle School ELA Classroom

Many teachers are familiar with background knowledge and vocabulary instruction, but language structures can feel more abstract. However, chances are you’re already incorporating them into your classroom! By understanding and intentionally teaching language structures, you can help students become more proficient readers and writers.

What Are Language Structures?

Language structures refer to the rules and patterns that govern how words, phrases, and sentences are constructed. This includes:

• Syntax – Grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.

• Semantics – The meaning of words, phrases, and sentences.

For example, discussing the subtle differences between words like "joyful" and "happy" falls under semantics, while teaching sentence structures and punctuation relates to syntax.

Engaging Activity: Visualizing Prepositions

To help students grasp language structures in a fun and interactive way, try this engaging classroom activity focusing on prepositions. This exercise is adaptable for different grammar concepts and skill levels.

Step 1: Group or Individual Work

• Place students in small groups or allow them to work individually.

• Provide each student or group with a blank sheet of paper.

Step 2: Drawing a Scene with Prepositions

• Ask students to draw a scene that incorporates six prepositions (or a number appropriate for their level).

• If they are learning different types of prepositions, provide specific instructions, such as using four prepositions of location and two of movement.

• Example: A student might draw a girl throwing a ball over a house, with a cat sitting near a tree.

Step 3: Writing Descriptive Paragraphs

• Students then write a paragraph describing their scene, ensuring they use all the prepositions they illustrated.

• To extend the lesson, challenge students to include sentences that begin with prepositional phrases and require proper punctuation (e.g., "Near a tree, a cat is sleeping.").

Step 4: Sharing and Reflecting

• Have students present their drawings and read their paragraphs aloud.

• Highlight unique or creative uses of prepositions and discuss why prepositions are essential for clear communication in writing.

   

Expanding the Activity

This activity can be easily adapted for different grammar concepts:

• Verb Tenses: Students draw a scene and describe actions using different verb tenses.

• Adjectives & Adverbs: Require students to describe their scene using specific adjectives or adverbs.

• Sentence Structure: Challenge students to use compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

• Active vs. Passive Voice: Have students describe actions in both voices.

Why This Works

• Differentiation: Adjust the complexity of requirements to meet the needs of all learners.
• Engagement: Taps into creativity and artistic expression.
• Practical Application:  Reinforces grammar concepts in a meaningful way. 

Final Thoughts

Language structures don’t have to be intimidating! With activities like this, students can visualize and apply grammatical concepts in a way that is both fun and memorable. Plus, it’s an activity you can rinse and repeat throughout the year for different concepts.

Try this in your classroom and see how it transforms your students' understanding of language structures!

If you want to hear more about this topic, check out our podcast Teaching Middle School ELA. 
Mastering Language Structure