The
Correct use of the Articles A and An
Elizabeth Rudicill
Purpose:
This mini-lesson will help students understand the correct usage of the articles a and an.� The students will learn the grammar rule concerning these two articles and most importantly will understand this rule�s purpose, which is to facilitate smooth transitions between words.
Objectives met for
Objectives met for NCTE Standards for the English Language
Arts:
Time Frame:
25 minutes
Materials:
A and An Worksheet (Make worksheet according to class level)
Paragraph worksheet with incorrect usage of A and An (Make worksheet according to class level)
Instructional Activities:
Script:
����������� I have noticed recently in your writing the misuse of a certain grammar rule that is often easily overlooked. Today, we will be addressing this problem through a few worksheet exercises.� I want you all to think about why this rule is important to you and your writing.� Now I would like someone to read this paragraph aloud (pick someone to read the paragraph and emphasize to them to read it exactly as it is written).�� What do you think is wrong with this paragraph?� What made it extremely difficult to read?� (Hopefully someone will say it just did sound right, or flow correctly.� Maybe some students will realize that a and an are misused throughout the whole paragraph.)� What do you think determines when you use a or an in a sentence?� Think about that question as we correct the paragraph together.� (Correct paragraph on overhead projector.)� Does anyone notice a pattern emerging in the use of a and an?� OK, now I want you all to try and fill in the blanks on this a and an worksheet and then we will correct them as a class.� (Give students time to do the worksheet and then read sentences aloud and have them raise flash cards.)� Now that we have completed the a and an exercises I want you all to now a little bit about the words a and an. First of all I want you to know that a and an are indefinite articles, which mean that they point out any one of a group without being specific (example: A cat is ate the food. This does not specifically state which cat ate the food.) This would be opposite of a definite article.� There is only one of these in the English language.� Can anyone guess what that word might be?� (Give students a chance to answer-Correct answer is the.� Then I would give examples of why a and an are indefinite, while the is definite).� Also, depending on the level of the class I may skip this background information on a and an.� Now why do you think it is important to use the correct word a or an in your writing and speech.� (Let students explain why they think it is important.)� I agree with what you are saying and want you to use the correct word choice, because it makes your writing easier to read and most importantly makes it sound better.�