Function of Words: The Interjection

Interjections burst forth from emotion rather than structure. They stand alone, grammatically disconnected, marked by punctuation. The gold keyhole — mysterious, standing apart — captures their independence.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Grammar
• Level: Ages 7-8

Objectives

• Identify interjections as expressions of emotion
• Associate the gold keyhole symbol with the interjection
• Recognize that interjections stand alone, unconnected to grammar
• Punctuate interjections correctly

Materials

• Small gold keyhole symbol
• Basket of exclamations ('Oh!' 'Hooray!' 'Ouch!' 'Oh dear!')
• Paper and pencils

Instructions

1. Tell the story: 'Some words are little gold bursts of feeling — Oh! Hooray! Ouch! They do not connect to other words grammatically; they simply pour out. We call them interjections and mark them with a small gold keyhole.' 2. Place the keyhole. 3. Read exclamations dramatically. 4. Mark each with the keyhole. 5. Distinguish interjections that stand alone (Oh!) from those that start a sentence (Well, I think...). 6. Punctuate properly: exclamation mark or comma. 7. Find interjections in stories and poems. 8. Invent new interjections (made-up words of feeling). 9. Compose a dialogue rich in interjection.

Educator tip

Drama is the lesson — interjections only come alive when spoken with emotion. Let children perform.

Assessment

Note identification in text and appropriate use in writing.

More from Language

• Word Study: Prefixes
• Word Study: Suffixes
• Poetry Study — Rhyme, Rhythm, and Imagery
• Grammar Box 1 — The Article
• Grammar Box 2 — The Adjective with Noun and Article
• Detective Adjective Game
• Verb Tense Chart — Past, Present, Future
• Transitive and Intransitive Verbs