I. Course Purpose and Content
Students in this course will receive instruction in reading, writing, listening, spelling, grammar, handwriting,
and critical thinking processes so that they may progress forward in their development toward becoming
wise and effective communicators.
Grammar
Students will review and broaden their abilities to correctly identify and use the eight parts of speech in
keeping with proper grammatical rules. Rules for capitalization, abbreviations, and using the underline or
italics, will also be addressed.
Writing
Students will receive instruction for moving through all five steps of the writing process: planning, drafting,
revising, proofreading, and publishing. Students will learn the components and skills necessary for writing
instructions (using time-order words), a friendly letter, a persuasive essay, a story, a book report, a sound
poem, a research report, and a compare-and-contrast essay.
Reading
Students will read a variety of short stories (fiction and non-fiction) and poems that will be enjoyed and
analyzed so that students may learn how to effectively read for information, identify main ideas, predict
outcomes, discern the consequences of thought/affection and choice, follow directions, etc.
Spelling
Thirty weekly spelling lists will be learned throughout the semester. Activities that include word sorting,
word studies, proofreading, and dictionary skills will strengthen students’ spelling and communication skills.
Handwriting
Students will also receive an introduction to cursive handwriting and develop basic mastery in it, so that
they may write their final drafts in cursive before the end of the year.