Grammar & Punctuation

This year we are the Evan-Moor Grammar & Punctuation e-books to teach grammar.  These comprehensive books outline 25 rules for each grade level that cover all of the grammar and punctuation expectations.  Each rule has a simple poster with a few examples and then three practice worksheets.  

We have been trying to introduce 1-2 rules per week in the beginning of the year; as the year goes on we will reinforce and extend the rules through writing and reading.  Already, the kiddos seem to be incorporating the rules into their understanding.  During our daily "Fix-It" sentences, the kiddos have been recognizing asking and telling sentences to determine the appropriate punctuation. (Rule 3 states that "a sentence that tells something needs a period at the end," and Rule 4 states "a sentence that ask somethings needs a question mark at the end.")

I have also been using the practice pages in our Literacy Work Stations.  Some of the worksheets allow the kiddos to cut and paste to finish sentences, sort asking vs. telling sentences, or build new words.  My goal is that the rules can easily be incorporated into our Writing Workshop as well.  This week the kiddos started editing their writing and I put up the Rules posters to remind them of all the punctuation and capitalization rules we have learned so far.  The kiddos were able to check their writing for capitals at the beginning of sentences and names, and the letter "I."  I am using a new Literacy Work Station rubric this year to ensure that the kiddos are always held accountable for these skills.

Next week I'll introduce Rule 11 (nouns) and Rule 12 (verbs).  I'm hoping to incorporate these rules into Word Study by sorting "naming words" and "action words."