Standard 5: Language

Students will apply knowledge of grammar and rhetorical style to reading and writing.

Student Actions 

Teacher Actions 

• Students will demonstrate correct usage of mechanics, especially commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons and semicolons.
• Students practice correcting their writing using correct mechanics with a focus on commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons and semicolons.

• Teachers continue to reinforce the correct usage of mechanics.
• Teachers model the correct usage and mechanics of commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semi-colons.
• Teachers provide opportunities for students to write using correct mechanics, especially commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, as necessary for dialogue and quoted material.
• Teachers provide opportunities for students to receive feedback that focuses specifically on mechanics with a focus on commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semi-colons.
• Teachers provide students with a guide for correct mechanics and allow opportunities for students to correct their writing using the guide. 

Supporting Resources 

Teacher Insights

• Khan Academy/semi-colons, colons
• Khan Academy/quotation marks
• Khan Academy/commas and apostrophes
• Purdue OWL: Mechanics
• Purdue OWL: Punctuation
• Capella University: Grammar Handbook pg 40-65

• “Mechanics” are the basic, established conventions and technical aspect of writing.

• Rules for commas

• Apostrophe Rules

• Rules for Quotations in dialogue

• Colons

• Semi-colons

Due to recursive nature of the standards, it is essential that teachers are aware of how all objectives within and between strands work together for optimal instruction.