Writing and Spelling Overview
WRITING
First semester will be more language, grammar and writing an eight sentence paragraph.
Second semester will be expanding the 8 sentence paragraph into 5 small paragraphs.
SPELLING
With the new common core expectations we are moving away from memorizing spelling word lists to studying word patterns. With each weekly story in the reading book there is a new word pattern to study. The word pattern is practiced in reading class and writing class. There are online weekly activities from the Pearson website which includes the weekly word pattern. This online reading homework would benefit your child. We highly encourage the online computer practice. Allowing your child to have some access to a computer to get this practice completed would be greatly appreciated..
The beginning of the year, your child was given a spelling inventory test to check for gaps in their spelling foundation. If there is a significant gap, Mrs. DeVargas will contact you to arrange additional help for your child. This help may be extra word sort homework or extra help in the classroom to work on closing those spelling pattern gaps.
TESTS
Students can expect weekly dictation tests that I will get a writing conventions grade and a spelling grade from. Dictation sentences are orally read sentences that the students will write with correct capitals, punctuation, and spelling. The dictation sentences will include a spiral review of previous phonic/word sort patterns learned in reading/writing. The test sentences come from their practice work.
Sample dictation sentence: Mrs. Hill let's us check out two books in the library.
1 point for each word that is spelled correctly and 1 point for each correct punctuation mark and capital letter. If a student correctly wrote this sentence, the score would be 11/11 spelling and 5/5 writing conventions.
Students can expect weekly language tests on objectives learned in previous weeks. It will also contain spiral review questions.
First semester will be more language, grammar and writing an eight sentence paragraph.
Second semester will be expanding the 8 sentence paragraph into 5 small paragraphs.
SPELLING
With the new common core expectations we are moving away from memorizing spelling word lists to studying word patterns. With each weekly story in the reading book there is a new word pattern to study. The word pattern is practiced in reading class and writing class. There are online weekly activities from the Pearson website which includes the weekly word pattern. This online reading homework would benefit your child. We highly encourage the online computer practice. Allowing your child to have some access to a computer to get this practice completed would be greatly appreciated..
The beginning of the year, your child was given a spelling inventory test to check for gaps in their spelling foundation. If there is a significant gap, Mrs. DeVargas will contact you to arrange additional help for your child. This help may be extra word sort homework or extra help in the classroom to work on closing those spelling pattern gaps.
TESTS
Students can expect weekly dictation tests that I will get a writing conventions grade and a spelling grade from. Dictation sentences are orally read sentences that the students will write with correct capitals, punctuation, and spelling. The dictation sentences will include a spiral review of previous phonic/word sort patterns learned in reading/writing. The test sentences come from their practice work.
Sample dictation sentence: Mrs. Hill let's us check out two books in the library.
1 point for each word that is spelled correctly and 1 point for each correct punctuation mark and capital letter. If a student correctly wrote this sentence, the score would be 11/11 spelling and 5/5 writing conventions.
Students can expect weekly language tests on objectives learned in previous weeks. It will also contain spiral review questions.