Teaching Mechanics: Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation

1. Teaching Mechanics: Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation By: Kara Palmer October 8, 2013

2. Things to avoid when teaching mechanics Memorization Drill and kill Too many “work sheets” (busy work) Lack of engagement Irrelevance

3. Developmental Stages of Spelling Prephonemic Semiphonemic Phonemic Transitional (within-word and syllable juncture) Complete

4. Prephonemic Generally unreadable Characterized by squiggles, random marks, invented letters, etc. Understanding that print is linear and goes from left to right Understanding that writing carries meaning Common among young pre-readers

6. Semiphonemic Exclusive use of letters. Typically one letter can represent a whole word. Letter-sound recognition Demonstrates the child’s discovery of the alphabet and the beginning of phonemic segmentation Typical of beginner readers

8. Phonemic Spelling based entirely on how words sound Incomplete, but more phonemes are being represented Starting to use letter names and sounds as a spelling strategy More easily read

10. Transitional (within-word and syllable juncture) Mostly readable with all phonemes represented The child is learning common spelling rules and patterns, but still confuses many words Typical of independent readers in late primary and middle elementary grades

12. Complete Understanding of basic spelling rules including prefixes, suffixes, and silent consonants Accumulation of many sight words Understands that words with common meanings generally have similar root words Correct use of homophones

14. Strategies for teaching spelling: Spelling pattern mini lessons Word sorts Word walls Word work centers Emphasize reading and writing

15. Word Sort

16. Mini lesson: Spelling Patterns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpoMk-Ncv8o

17. Strategies for teaching grammar Mini lessons followed by reinforcement of their skills. Have them edit their own writing and help edit their peers writing Word work “Flip the classroom”, followed by reinforcement of topics during class time Use literature as a tool Use music and poetry as a tool

18. The Verb Song I'm running, jumping, singing That's because I am a verb. I'm hopping, dancing, ringing That's because I am a verb. I'm coming, going, hitting, throwing Humming, rowing, sitting, blowing, riding, Hiding, gliding, sliding because I'm a verb. I'm a verb, verb, verb I'm an action word. So put me where the action is 'cause I'm an action word.

19. Strategies for teaching punctuation Mini lessons followed by reinforcement “Flip the classroom” Songs and poems as a tool Literature as a tool

22. References Books: Directing the Writing Workshop: An Elementary Teacher’s Handbook By: Jean Wallace Gillet & Lynn Beverly The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Classroom By: Gail Boushey & Joan Moser Spelling: Connecting the Pieces By: Ruth McQuirter Scott & Sharon Siamon The Science of Spelling: The Explicit Specifics That Make Great Readers and Writers (and Spellers!) By: J. Richard Gentry Teaching Kids to Spell By: J. Richard Gentry & Jean Wallace Gillet You are Special By: Max Lucado Websites: http://www.themeasuredmom.com/ http://www.teachingwithtlc.com/2010/08/get-back-to-basics-this-school-year.html http://www.readingrockets.org/firstyear/fyt.php?CAT=34 http://www.readingrockets.org/firstyear/fyt.php?CAT=35 http://middleschoolteachertoliteracycoach.blogspot.ca/2013/03/incorporating-grammar-and-conventions.html http://www.audiomemory.com/grammar.php http://www.pinterest.com/pin/39688040439779154/

23. References Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpoMk-Ncv8o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHhEgCG1G0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC49635RVI0 Pictures:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/2011/08/commas-save-lives.html http://www.gettyimages.ca/