The purpose of this document is to assist parents in understanding the purpose of each piece of Unitas’ grammar and writing curriculum. With this knowledge, you will be better prepared to partner with the tutor in educating your student. The headings below explain how each curriculum piece is to be used.
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Shurley English teaches complex grammar and writing skills .
These are taught over time through a series of small, incremental and sequential steps.
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These steps include seeing, hearing, saying and doing activities. Repetition of the grammatical structure of sentences is the key to the success of building a good grammar foundation.
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Memorization of grammar jingles enables young students to easily remember the functions of the various parts of speech in each sentence.
How to accomplish these goals:
1.
Follow the lesson plan outlined in your Shurley Grammar teacher’s manual. Each lesson includes a unique process of repeating grammar skills over and over to make them habitual. Using the CD is key when teaching the Introductory Sentences.
2.
Recitation of grammar jingles daily, both in class and at home. Using the CD is key to introducing new jingles.
Writing with Ease helps build a solid foundation in basic writing skills through narration, copywork, and dictation. These are important skills to address before a student begins their own compositions. Using passages and sentences from classic children’s literature, Writing with Ease allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors.
How to accomplish these goals:
1.
Follow the lessons outlined in the Writing with Ease teacher pages carefully.
2.
Make an effort to understand the art of narration, copywork, and dictation. Read Susan Wise
Bauer’s article for more info http://www.welltrainedmind.com/tips-for-narration/
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Excellence in Writing (IEW) offers the students both structure and style in writing by using a variety of sentence styles, sentence openers, and sentence dress ups. Students learn how to recognize key words, write outlines and mimic good writing in their own compositions. We will accomplish most of our IEW goals through the theme based books. The students will also need to download the Student Resource Notebook from IEW for their Grammar & Writing binder.
IEW includes nine units for teaching writing. Seven of the units are structural models (Units 3-9) and the first two units cover key word outlines and summarizing (Units 1 & 2). Units 1 & 2 will be utilized every time your child begins a writing assignment. A structural model will then be chosen (varies by lesson) to complete the writing process.
How to accomplish these goals:
1.
Follow the lessons outlined in the theme-based books and the tutor’s instructions carefully. If is helpful to read the whole lesson so you know what was taught in class on Mondays and
Thursdays.
2.
Learn the IEW method in order for you to better help your student. There are training
DVDs available and a yahoo group for parents using the program. Ask your child’s tutor for assistance at any time.
3.
Follow the format for writing as outlined in the lesson and/or final checklist. Be sure to follow the directions for marking the stylistic techniques and sentence openers as well.
Doing so will give your child’s tutor more time for constructive criticism as opposed to marking the child’s work with the items on the checklist.
4.
You are your child’s primary teacher. If you decide to alter the lesson or the checklist write a note to the tutor so she is aware of any changes you’ve made.
5.
Turn papers in on time, in the correct format, with the correct checklist copied and attached.
6.
When a final draft is returned take time to talk about any errors and the tutor’s notes/critique.
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