Pam, thanks -- the notion of slots hit home with my students too -- and the
fact that there are 2 mandatory slots that can be expanded in various ways
is also a simple, critical insight into the structure of English. I have
introduced this notion with "grammar in a nutshell" - which gives me a
chance to point out the distinction between forms and funtions (terminology
is a bit mixed in the article) and that has worked as a basic 'picture' for
them.  Judy


Judith Diamondstone  (732) 932-7496  Ext. 352
Graduate School of Education
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
10 Seminary Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1183