Grammar Lesson: Noun Clauses

Isaac Stough
Context: An advanced level, English grammar course at the University of Barcelona in Spain.
There are 15-20 students ranging from 21 to 24 yrs old. Students are very interested in American
culture; particularly, American media. Students taking this course hope to go on and publish
research in English. The class is 1 hr long.
Objectives:
-SWBAT identify a Noun Clause
-SWBAT know the differences between a NC and the other kinds of Clauses
-SWBAT begin to understand that as a complementizer and the difference between quoted
speech (direct) and reported speech (indirect)
Warm-up: Do you love me? (Song from Fiddler on the Roof) (5 mins)
-Pre-listening Activate schemata (give context to song)
-During listening write down 3 things that are said between the man and his wife
-Post-listening Take a few examples from students
Presentation: (T-S) (20 mins)
-Teacher takes a few examples from students
a. Example: The man
Do you love me?
I was nervous to marry you.
b. Example: The wife (Golde)
Youre upset, youre worn out, go inside, go lie down!
Maybe its indigestion.
-Teacher puts Discourse Transcript up on board

Discourse Transcript:

Tevye: Do you love me?

Golde: Do I love you? With our daughters getting married and this trouble in the town,
youre upset, you're worn out, Go inside, go lie down! (.5)
Maybe it's indigestion
Tevye: "Golde I'm asking you a question" (.2) Do you love me?=
Golde: =You're a fool=
Tevye: =I know! But do you love me? (.5)
Golde: Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals,
cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow. after twenty-five years, why talk
about love right now?

Grammar Lesson: Noun Clauses

Isaac Stough
-Teacher explains that there are 2 ways to cite someone
#1: Direct citation (quoted speech): Golde said, Maybe its indigestion.
#2: Indirect cit. (reported speech): Golde said that maybe it was indigestion.
-Teacher explains the topic for the day (i.e. Noun Clauses) by noting NC on board
*Elaboration of NCs*
a. NC comes after a VERB
b. Completes meaning of the verb (complement)
c. That Completementizer
d. Examples of verbs followed by that
-He remarked that
-She told him that
Practice: (T-S) structured exercises (15 mins)
-Teacher asks students to note differences between the two sentences.
a. comma after said
b. tense shift (present >past)
c. no quotations in #2
*d. that added*
-Activity #1: quoted speech <> reported speech
-Teacher puts example of sentences on board
Example:
Quoted Speech: Golde told Tevye, You are upset.
Reported Speech: Golde told Tevye that he was upset.
OR
Reported Speech: Golde told Tevye that he was upset.
Quoted Speech:
Produce: (S-S) (20 mins)
-Activity #2: Students work in groups to complete more sentences
Closure: (5 mins)
-Teacher asks 1 student to demonstrate
-A quick review