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stellamaris
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| Posted: April 27 2011 at 6:49pm | IP Logged
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Our narrations are generally moving along smoothly this year, and I am seeing a lot of improvement in both the quality and length of the narrations my 8 yo and 10 yo sons are doing.
HOWEVER....the oral narrations are just filled with "and"! Every sentence starts with "and"! And I can't stand it! And it's driving me nuts! And I don't know what to do to correct it! 
Seriously, does anyone have any thoughts on correcting this habit of speech? Anyone else struggle with "ands"?
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Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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Mimip
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| Posted: April 27 2011 at 6:53pm | IP Logged
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And here I was thinking my dd was the only one! 
Anxiously waiting to see if anyone has any thoughts!
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Erin
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| Posted: April 27 2011 at 7:25pm | IP Logged
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Caroline
I'm assuming at this age your children's narrations are oral?
For a long time I was scrupulous in never 'correcting' narrations. (I believe I read somewhere that CM said not to) After time though I realised my dc needed a little bit more direction, so I gently began directing/correcting. I began discussing with them once/twice during the narration to leave the 'and' out. we'd discuss sentence stricture, riveting ways to begin sentences etc. It takes longer to break this pattern for some children than others, but I do think a gentle pointing out is beneficial.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: April 27 2011 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
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Erin wrote:
For a long time I was scrupulous in never 'correcting' narrations. (I believe I read somewhere that CM said not to) |
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I think what Miss mason advised was not to correct during narration. Not that we shouldn't correct narrations at all. Though I could well be mistaken, so take it for what it is worth!LOL!
My method is to address a narration problem at a separate time ("Lets practice today on avoiding beginning sentences with the word "and") and then I also give a reminder right before a narration. ("Tell me about our latest chapter of Little House. And remember what we've been practicing about avoiding beginning sentences with the word "and".)
Also, at times when we are focused on working on specific mechanics of narration, I expect a little slack in the content department. It's hard to focus on both at once! Then as mechanics improve and become more natural, I re-focus on content.
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 27 2011 at 11:28pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
| My method is to address a narration problem at a separate time |
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This is what I do too. If a child is using vocalized pauses, "and" or other crutches, we talk about these things at a separate time.
Also...going into the specifics about the beginning and end of a sentence during copywork may be helpful. Make a big deal out of PERIODS and BEGINNING-CAPITAL-LETTERS for about a week or more...really focusing on it. "Instead of connecting all of our thoughts with AND, we use PERIODS and COMMAS. Otherwise, it's hard to understand/follow. Does that make sense?" Then demonstrate a sentence with ANDS and see how hard you have to concentrate to understand. Make it funny and goofy.
We also make games about them to discourage each other from getting into these bad habits.
"Does the AND-FAIRY need to come take away some ANDS?"
"Why are there so many LIKES flying around the table? Would someone please get the LIKE-SWATTER? I need to get RID of those LIKES!"
I also talk-excessively in the "crutch" that is happening at the time to make a point, so they all see how annoying it is! It's done crazily---so no hard feelings ever---just fun---but it makes a point.
lapazfarm wrote:
| Also, at times when we are focused on working on specific mechanics of narration, I expect a little slack in the content department. It's hard to focus on both at once! Then as mechanics improve and become more natural, I re-focus on content. |
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Yes! Makes sense. Focus on one thing at a time...it's a constant re-evaluating!
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: And..and..and narrations
