Specific grade level content

Kindergarten

Students begin to see that their spoken words can be put in written form. Students realize this through the use of individualized language experience stories. They become aware of letters, sounds, punctuation, word forms, and sentence structure.
Journal writing is another technique used to teach language. Students may choose topics of interest and any method of writing is acceptable. Teacher conferences with students to discuss what they wrote, to clarify thoughts and ideas, and to obtain a sense of feeling about written word.

Grade 1

Grade one looks at the writing process including the rules of writing (grammar). They study many forms of writing which include personal writing, subject writing, research writing, writing stories and poetry. Reading skills are interwoven as well as word-study skills such as are emphasized in the reading and spelling curricula.

Grade 2

Second grade continues to look at the writing process and connects it with correct punctuation, sentence structure, capitalization, and parts of speech. Writing topics include journals, friendly and business letters, making books, personal narratives, paragraph writing, poetry, reports, interviewing, telling stories, writing fables and mysteries and news stories, telling and performing stories.

Grade 3

Write Source expands the writing process in third grade. Students write more than one paragraph including the first draft and revisions. The grammar skills continue on a more advanced level to include compound sentences, all of the parts of speech, punctuation, word forms, and proper word choice. Types of writing include journals, friendly and business letters, personal narratives, alphabet books, using the library and writing book reviews, telling stories, writing and performing poetry, portfolios, writing newspaper stories, reports, photo essays, listening, giving short talks, making albums and writing family stories, writing realistic and time-travel fantasies, and plays.

Grade 4

Fourth graders continue the idea of journal writing and the writing process as well as the traits of effective writing. Students learn to edit and proofread. Correct punctuation, parts of speech, and sentence variety and problem sentences are discussed. Kinds of writing include personal narratives, friendly and business letters, portfolios, biographical and descriptive writing, newspaper stories, writing with computers, book reviews, using the library and Internet, expository and persuasive essays, writing poems, tall tales, observation reports, realistic stories, plays, multimedia computer reports.

Grade 5

Grammar takes fifth graders to parts of speech, punctuation, and word usage. They continue journal and narrative writing, friendly and business letters, portfolios, persuasive and expository essays, fantasies and plays, library skills and computer writing, book reviews, writing summaries, reports, poetry, stories from history, viewing and listening skills, giving speeches, multimedia computer reports, and newspaper stories.

Grade 6

Sixth graders write extensively, every day in a variety of styles. Using the Write Source Handbook as their primary resource, students are responsible for each step of the writing process, from gathering ideas and writing the first draft, to editing and correcting, and publishing the finished piece of work. Writing is published in a variety of ways. Real letters are written and mailed. Students bind and publish their creative writing. Work is published in newsletters and on the class website, and mounted on displays.