Conjunctions; Carnegie Museum

Conjunctions are important for children to learn because, to quote the conjunction junction song, they "[hook] up words, phrases and clauses."  Children often employ conjunctions, but may use them incorrectly.  For example, the may say "and" too many times in a sentence so that it becomes a run-on sentence; or they may start a sentence with a conjunction such as "because" which is frowned upon by many teachers.  Learning to use conjunctions appropriately is helpful for good oral communication, as well as writing skills.

Common conjunctions for children include "and," "but" and "or."  The Carnegie Museum of Art is a great place to stimulate language.  I suggest taking your child to look at the paintings, and asking her to describe what she sees (using conjunctions).

Here are some pieces at the museum:

Water Lilies 1921, Monet

Image retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbell1975/5284519572/.

Ask your child what she sees.  Target may include, "I see lily pads and water," or "I see green and pink and blue."  If she just says, "I see lily pads," then ask her what else she sees, or prompt her by saying "...and?"  Her response should be, "I see lily pads and water."  If she lists the colors and uses "and" too much, such as, "I see green, and blue, and white, and pink and purple and yellow..." then gently instruct her that she has over-used the word "and" and that it makes more sense to list the colors, as in "I see green, blue, white, pink, purple and yellow."  It is most helpful if you model this for her.  You may want to take turns saying what you see in a painting so that you can provide a framework for her grammar.  And please remember that each response of hers does not need to be perfect.  This activity should provide practice and enjoyment.

The Garden in the Rue Cortot at Montmarte 1876, Renoir

Image retrieved from http://www.topofart.com/artists/Pierre-Auguste_Renoir/art_reproduction/1876/The_Garden_in_the_Rue_Cortot_at_Montmartre.php.

You can lead your child into using the "and" conjunction by asking her what kinds of flowers she sees; the plural use of "flowers" implies an answer including multiplies.  Targets may include, "I see big and little flowers," and "I see red, orange and pink flowers."

You can also lead your child into the "but" conjunction by asking what she sees in the picture...and what she doesn't see.  Targets may include, "I see men but no women," "I see men hunting but no animals," and  "I see flowers but no birds."

Wheatfields after the Rain 1890, van Gogh

 

Image retrieved from http://www.cmoa.org/fine-arts/.

Lead your child into using the "or" conjunction by asking her what kinds of things might be beyond the field.  Targets may include, "A house or a path or a pond," and "Horses, chickens or geese."

Untitled 2010, Wilkes

Image retrieved from http://www.cmoa.org/contemporary-art/.

Prompt your child to use the "or" conjunction by asking her what different things this could be a painting of.  Targets may include, "It could be a painting of a bunny or clouds," and "It might be a bunny on a hill or a bunny underground."