Thursday, January 10, 2013

Can vs. May

"Can I have another piece of pie?" Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown asks his mother in the first chapter of ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN, BOY DETECTIVE. Considering her career as an English teacher, she tells him he may have another piece.

The second graders are listening to me read this book aloud, and I stopped here to ask if anyone knew why his mom changes the word from can to may. Most of the hand-raisers had theories, but only one young girl was in-the-know on this one. She explained it well.

"Can means you are able to do it. May means you are allowed to do it." Nodding heads indicated their understanding.

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4 comments:

  1. BirdmanJanuary 11, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    I'll sleep well tonight, knowing this.

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    Replies
    1. Library JewelJanuary 12, 2013 at 1:41 PM

      I know. It is basic. But to seven-year-olds, figuring out the difference is great, especially after listening to so many adults answer with the emphasized MAY. I Ike having them figure it out with help from a good character,

      Delete
  2. Sketchbook WanderingJanuary 12, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    Birdman is too funny. On a more serious note, I love the natural & enjoyable way that language development occurs with literature & stories. (even for adults...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Library JewelJanuary 12, 2013 at 1:42 PM

      It is far more powerful - like spelling and grammar and vocabulary - when the discoveries come from real books, not manufactured lessons.

      Delete

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