Teaching Mechanics: Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation

Teaching Mechanics: Spelling, Grammar, and PunctuationBy: Kara Palmer October 8, 2013

Things to avoid when teaching mechanicsMemorizationDrill and killToo many work sheets (busy work)Lack of engagementIrrelevance Developmental Stages of SpellingPrephonemicSemiphonemicPhonemicTransitional (within-word and syllable juncture)CompletePrephonemicGenerally unreadableCharacterized by squiggles, random marks, invented letters, etc.Understanding that print is linear and goes from left to right Understanding that writing carries meaningCommon among young pre-readers

SemiphonemicExclusive use of letters. Typically one letter can represent a whole word.Letter-sound recognitionDemonstrates the childs discovery of the alphabet and the beginning of phonemic segmentationTypical of beginner readers

PhonemicSpelling based entirely on how words soundIncomplete, but more phonemes are being representedStarting to use letter names and sounds as a spelling strategyMore easily read

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

CompleteUnderstanding of basic spelling rules including prefixes, suffixes, and silent consonantsAccumulation of many sight wordsUnderstands that words with common meanings generally have similar root wordsCorrect use of homophones

Strategies for teaching spelling:Spelling pattern mini lessonsWord sortsWord wallsWord work centersEmphasize reading and writing Word Sort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpoMk-Ncv8oMini lesson: Spelling Patterns

Strategies for teaching grammarMini lessons followed by reinforcement of their skills. Have them edit their own writing and help edit their peers writingWord workFlip the classroom, followed by reinforcement of topics during class timeUse literature as a toolUse music and poetry as a toolThe Verb SongI'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, verbI'm an action word. So put me where the action is 'cause I'm an action word.

Strategies for teaching punctuationMini lessons followed by reinforcementFlip the classroomSongs and poems as a toolLiterature as a tool

ReferencesBooks:

Directing the Writing Workshop: An Elementary Teachers HandbookBy: Jean Wallace Gillet & Lynn BeverlyThe Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary ClassroomBy: Gail Boushey & Joan MoserSpelling: Connecting the PiecesBy: Ruth McQuirter Scott & Sharon SiamonThe Science of Spelling: The Explicit Specifics That Make Great Readers and Writers (and Spellers!)By: J. Richard GentryTeaching Kids to SpellBy: J. Richard Gentry & Jean Wallace GilletYou are SpecialBy: Max LucadoWebsites:http://www.themeasuredmom.com/http://www.teachingwithtlc.com/2010/08/get-back-to-basics-this-school-year.htmlhttp://www.readingrockets.org/firstyear/fyt.php?CAT=34http://www.readingrockets.org/firstyear/fyt.php?CAT=35http://middleschoolteachertoliteracycoach.blogspot.ca/2013/03/incorporating-grammar-and-conventions.htmlhttp://www.audiomemory.com/grammar.phphttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/39688040439779154/ReferencesVideos:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpoMk-Ncv8ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHhEgCG1G0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC49635RVI0

Pictures:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/2011/08/commas-save-lives.htmlhttp://www.gettyimages.ca/