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Guidelines for Formal Writing
1st Grade:
Students are expected to use periods and capitals correctly. Students
are expected to spell three- and four-letter words correctly. Students
will use story maps for prewriting work and will make notes on paper
for research. Students are provided with guiding questions for
research and are expected to edit and rewrite a final draft. Students
are expected to write five-sentence paragraphs.
2nd Grade: First grade guidelines apply. Students are expected to demonstrate subject/verb agreement and proper use of adjectives.
3rd Grade:
First and second grade guidelines apply. Student writing is expected to
stress content over length. Students are expected to use commas and
pronouns properly. Students are expected to properly spell words
studied in spelling program.
4th and 5th
Grade: Previous grade guidelines apply. Student writing is expected to
stress proper mechanics. Students are expected to write three or more
paragraphs on writing assignments. Students are expected to spell and
punctuate properly. Students are expected to use at least two sources
on research assignments. Students are expected to document sources by
providing the names of books consulted.
6th Grade:
Previous grade guidelines apply. Students are expected to write five or
more paragraphs on writing assignments. Students are expected to use
two or three sources on research assignments. Students are expected to
provide book titles and authors when documenting sources. Students may
use Internet sources but must provide website addresses when
documenting sources.
7th and 8th Grades:
Previous grade guidelines apply. Student writing is expected to stress
proper word usage. Students are expected to use outlines for prewriting
work. Students are expected to follow a formal writing process.
Research projects will use three types of references. Students will
follow APA guidelines for source citation and bibliographies. Informal
writing such as journals and essay tests will be expected to stress
content over proper mechanics.
August 16, 2005
Guidelines for Handwriting
Grades 1 through 8
1. Papers are to be headed with first and last name, date, and grade.
2. Papers should be clean and free from wrinkles and tears. Teachers
will not accept messy work. Students will be informed in advance that
work will have to be done over if it is not done correctly.
3. Words should be erased, never scratched out.
4. Letters should be formed carefully. Teachers will emphasize correct formation and legibility.
5. Expect some handwriting exercise to be assigned every day. Students
who have handwriting workbooks should expect a workbook assignment
every day. Handwriting assignments should not be put off until the end
of the school year. Students should be practicing every day as part of
their daily routine.
August 16, 2005
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