Skills and Conventions

The first weeks of each unit focus on inspiring good ideas and getting those ideas onto paper. Grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and some spelling skills are taught directly, after the students have had ample time to draft their ideas.

Because students’ motivation to learn the conventions of written English grows out of their desire to communicate clearly with their readers in their published pieces, the skill instruction occurs mostly in the revision and proofreading phases of the writing process. Different skills and conventions are taught, as appropriate, in each genre unit.

Prepared Mini-lessons for Extra
Skill Work

Additional skill practice activities are provided in the Skill Practice Teaching Guide and Student Skill Practice Book, included in the program. These skill mini-lessons can be taught anytime to reinforce writing skills.

Mini-lessons can be used to reinforce skills taught in the core program. They also can be used to teach or review additional skills required by your district or taught in prior years. They include the practice of grammar and usage, and punctuation and capitalization.