I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out.
— Oscar Wilde
This quote reminds me of my students and the comma. Once taught, they want to put the comma everywhere. I would like to know about commas and the word because. I know that you use a comma with because when it starts the sentence. So, do you place a comma before the word “because” when it’s in the middle of the sentence? If yes, why?Maybe an example would be nice.
This week I will be introducing Reading Response Logs to my sixth grade students. I got the idea and format from Chris Tovani’s book Do I Really Have to Teach Reading? I have had my sixth graders do these since 2005. With Reading Response Logs, I have seen great improvement with their writing along with their written expression. Reading Response Logs are also a great way to track whether or not your students are reading. I have assigned my students a day to turn in their logs from Monday to Thursday each week. I have 2 sixth grade classes, so I don’t want to be overloaded with grading these. Staggering the days does help significantly.
Before assigning the logs, I present to them a power point that I designed from one of our stories from the reading book. During the power point, I model how I am thinking and how I would place my thoughts onto a sticky note. I even have my students help me come up with thoughts. After presenting the power point, I will have my students staple the format and example log into their 3 subject spiral notebook, which is labeled Reading Response Log. I created a sample log that shows them exactly what to do when it’s time for them to do a log on their own. I will also show them student examples of a response log from previous students.
The next day I will have the students practice writing a log from the story in our reading books. After using the reading book, they will use an AR book that they choose to read. With my lower students, I allow them to use the reading book for a few weeks longer so that they can get the hang of it.
I enjoy reading their logs and seeing their progress throughout the year!
I am big on CHIPS! I take 2 points per error except for run ons and fragments. I take 4 points off for those.
CAPITALIZATION
HANDWRITING
INDENTING
PUNCTUATION
SPELLING
 | Chang on My Merrells |
 | Joe Zenir on How Often? |
 | Dee on Thoughtful Responses |
 | Meg Nicholson on Commas and Because |
 | davisbg on Commas and Because |
