Cynthia Barnett
Competency
Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language
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6.01
Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:
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using a variety of sentence types, punctuating properly,
and avoiding fragments and run-ons.
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using subject-verb agreement and verb tense that are
appropriate for the meaning of the sentence.
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applying parts of speech to clarify language usage.
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using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and
case.
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using phrases and clauses correctly, including proper
punctuation (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives, dependent and
independent clauses).
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determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words
using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural
analysis (roots, prefixes, suffixes) of words.
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extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new
words.
6.02
Continue to identify and edit errors in spoken and written English by:
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using correct spelling of words appropriate in difficulty
for eighth graders and refining mastery of an individualized list of commonly
misspelled words.
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producing final drafts/presentations that demonstrate
accurate spelling and the correct use of punctuation, capitalization, and
format.
Materials
Needed:
Writing
draft
Personal
Editing Checklist
Approximate
time required:
15 minutes
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Purpose: Students must learn the
conventions of Standard English in order to communicate successfully.� It is important for students to understand
that writing conventions are meant to help them as writers make their works
look and sound better so that their readers will become more engaged and
interested in their writing.� If there
are a lot of convention mistakes in writing, the focus is taken away from what
the author is saying.� However, do not
overwhelm your students with conventions when they are drafting pages; students
may become frustrated with focusing on grammar and not the actual writing.
Script:
It is important to use grammar correctly in your writing.� The time to edit is after you are finished writing.� It will help your peers when conferencing, because they will be able to understand more clearly what you are writing.� Everyone must follow the conventions of Standard English in order for our writing to be clear to the reader.� These questions may help you develop your purpose as a writer and the editing checklist will help you to correct any grammar mistakes in your writing.
Activity:
The students are to take the personal editor�s checklist to their desk before conferencing with anyone.� Then, they are to go through their writing and make any changes necessary to their work.
In their conference with the teacher, have them explain about their conference with themselves.� What did they do?� Determine if there are any problems being repeated throughout their paper.� [These problems may become future topics of mini-lessons.]
Writer�s
Convention � Editor�s Checklist
1. Use a variety of sentence types.
2. Sentences begin with capital letters.
3. Paragraphs are indented.
4. Sentences have correct ending punctuation.
5. Sentences are complete.
6. There are no run-on sentences.
7. There are no unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences.
8. All words were used correctly. (e.g. their, there, they�re)
9. A variety of words are used.
10. Commas are used correctly.
11. �Quotation marks are used (where necessary) and correctly.
12. Apostrophes are used correctly for contractions.
13. Spelling is correct.
14. The verb tense is the same throughout the paper.
15. The subjects and predicates agree.
16. Apostrophes are used correctly for possessive nouns.
17. All proper nouns and adjectives are capitalized.
18. When did you use colons and semi-colons?
19. Underlined (or used italics) when needed?