ALEX Classroom Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

[ELA2021] (2) 43 :

43. Write complete sentences demonstrating knowledge of punctuation conventions.

a. Utilize commas with words in a series in a sentence.

b. Use apostrophes to form contractions and possessives.

Examples: contractions with am, is, has, not (I'm, she's, don't)

c. Use punctuation to set off interjections.

d. Expand sentences using frequently-occurring conjunctions.

Examples: because, so, but

[ELA2021] (3) 36 :

36. Demonstrate knowledge of the rules of standard English grammar including punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling appropriate for third grade.

a. Use articles a, an, and the correctly.

b. Identify the role of a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, and conjunction within a sentence and explain the type of the information it conveys.

c. Form plural nouns, verbs, and possessives, including irregular plural nouns and verbs.

d. Use simple abbreviations, including days of the week, months of the year, titles, units of metric and customary measurement, street names, and state names.

[ELA2021] (4) 38 :

38. Compose complete sentences with correct subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and usage.

a. Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns.

Example: a small red bag rather than a red small bag

b. Form and use prepositional phrases and conjunctions.

c. Recognize and correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

d. Use commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks correctly.

e. Use correct capitalization, including familial relations and proper adjectives.

f. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

[ELA2021] (5) 40 :

40. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

a. Use commas to separate items in a series, separate introductory elements from the rest of a sentence, set off tag questions, and indicate direct address.

b. Use underlining, quotation marks, or italics to indicate the titles of different types of works.

c. Spell grade-level words correctly, consulting references as needed.

The exclamation mark or exclamation point ends a sentence that expresses a strong feeling or an important command. It is also used at the end of short interjections such as "Wow!" or "Ouch!" and to draw attention to a fact or opinion (I am the greatest soccer player in the world!). Since exclamation points show powerful emotions, they should be used sparingly in writing and should be only used one at a time. In this classroom resource, the students will learn where to place an exclamation mark. This resource offers informational material, videos, games, quizzes, and worksheets to help further understand this concept.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

[ELA2021] (3) 36 :

36. Demonstrate knowledge of the rules of standard English grammar including punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling appropriate for third grade.

a. Use articles a, an, and the correctly.

b. Identify the role of a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, and conjunction within a sentence and explain the type of the information it conveys.

c. Form plural nouns, verbs, and possessives, including irregular plural nouns and verbs.

d. Use simple abbreviations, including days of the week, months of the year, titles, units of metric and customary measurement, street names, and state names.

Fun Factory is a great way for kids to practice punctuation and capitalization...and toy-building! Fix the errors in the sentences in order to gain parts for your very own dollhouse, bike, scooter, and more. Can the students build all six toys?

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

In this video, students learn about three main types of sentences, and when they should use a period, exclamation mark, and question mark. This video is chalked full of examples of when each type of punctuation should be used. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

Zara is dreaming of space yet again, she would like to be a space wildebeest! Help her put her capital letters in the right place and make her dreams come true. There are more versions of this capital letter punctuation game on Club Roy.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (1) -1 :

R5. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (1) 30 :

30. Write legibly, using proper pencil grip.

a. Print upper and lowercase letters fluently, using proper approach strokes, letter formation, and line placement.

b. Print first and last names using proper letter formation, capitalization, and punctuation.

Examples: De'Andre McGill, Kim Mi-Sun, Juan de Jesus, Janie Parker

c. Use lower case letters in the majority of written work, using capitals only when appropriate.

d. Write letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order from memory.

[ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

[ELA2021] (1) 35 :

35. With prompting and support, write an informative or explanatory text about a topic, using facts from a source and providing a sense of closure.

[ELA2021] (2) 7 :

7. Demonstrate standard English usage when speaking.

a. Use collective nouns.

b. Form and use frequently-occurring irregular plural nouns.

c. Use reflexive pronouns.

d. Form and use past tense forms of frequently-occurring irregular verbs.

e. Use adjectives and adverbs.

f. Produce and expand complete simple and compound sentences when speaking.

[ELA2021] (2) 17 :

17. Analyze meaningful parts of words and phrases in discussions and/or text.

a. Identify possessives and plurals and use them as clues to the meaning of text.

Example: girl's dress; boys' game; cats, cat's, cats'; houses, house's shutters

b. Identify meaningful parts of words (morphemes) and use them as clues to the meaning of unknown words, including base words, compound words, and frequently occurring affixes and inflections.

Examples: -less, -ful, -est

Note: Adding suffix -est changes an adjective to a superlative adjective; adding suffix -ful changes the part of speech.

[ELA2021] (2) 38 :

38. Apply knowledge of grade-appropriate phoneme-grapheme correspondences, multisyllabic word construction, syllable division principles, and spelling rules (or generalizations) to encode words accurately.

a. Encode grade-appropriate multisyllabic words using knowledge of syllable types, including open, closed, vowel-consonant-e, vowel teams, vowel-r, and consonant-le.

b. Apply knowledge of multisyllabic word construction and syllable division principles to encode grade-appropriate words correctly.

Examples: VC/CV, V/CV, VC/V, CV/VC; rab-bit, o-pen, cab-in, di-et

c. Encode words with final /v/ and /j/ sounds using knowledge that no English word ends with a, v, or j.

Examples: have, give, save; cage, rage, budge, lodge

d. Encode one- and two-syllable words with long and short vowel patterns.

e. Encode words with two- and three-consonant blends, including those containing digraphs.

Examples: st, sm, sn, sl, cl, dr, br, bl, str, scr, thr, squ, spl, spr

f. Encode words with consonant digraphs, trigraphs, and combinations.

Examples: ph, gh, ch, sh, wh, th, ng, tch, dge, qu

g. Encode words with the common vowel teams, including diphthongs.

Examples: ai, ay, ea, ee, ei, igh, oa, ow, ou, ue, ew, eigh

h. Encode words with vowel-r combinations.

Examples: ar, or, ir, er, ur, air, ear, oar

i. Encode words that follow the -ild, -ost, -old, -olt, and -ind patterns.

Examples: wild, cold, most, colt, mind

j. Encode words with a after w read /ä/ and a before l read /â/.

Examples: wash, water, wasp; tall, all, talk, small, fall

k. Encode words with or after w read /er/.

Examples: world, word, worm, worst, work

l. Encode words with hard and soft c and g.

Examples: carry, cent; game, giraffe

m. Encode words with vowel y in the final position of one and two syllable words, distinguishing the difference between the long /ī/ sound in one-syllable words and the long /ē/ sound in two-syllable words, and words with vowel y in medial position, producing the short /ĭ/ sound for these words.

Examples: fly, my; baby, happy; myth, gym

n. Encode words with prefixes and suffixes, including words with dropped e and y-to-i changes for suffix addition.

Examples: pro-, trans-, non-, mid-, -ful, -less, -ness, -ed, ing, -es, -er, -est, -en, -y, -ly

o. Encode grade-appropriate high frequency words that are spelled using predictable, decodable phoneme-grapheme correspondences, including those that contain only one irregularity.

Examples: decodable - number, way, my, than, word
decodable except for one irregularity - other (o is schwa); from- (o is schwa);
what- (a is schwa or short o depending on dialect)

p. Encode contractions with am, is, has, not, have, would, and will, using apostrophes appropriately.

Examples: I'm, he's, she's, isn't, don't, I've, he'd, they'll

q. Encode frequently confused homophones accurately, using knowledge of English orthography and meaning to facilitate learning.

Examples: their/they're/there; eight/ate; cent/scent/sent

[ELA2021] (2) 42 :

42. Write an opinion piece about a topic or text with details to support the opinion, using transitional words and providing a sense of closure.

In this classroom resource, students write free-verse acrostic poems about themselves using the letters of their names to begin each line. They then write an additional acrostic poem about something that is important to them. After proofreading, both poems are recopied or typed and illustrated and then mounted on construction paper for display. Several opportunities for sharing and peer review are incorporated.  Acrostic poem interactive and ABC word list included in this resource.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (0) 2 :

2. Actively engage in teacher-led reading experiences and collaborative discussions with peers to build background knowledge needed to be successful as they learn to read and, later, read to learn.

[ELA2021] (0) 8 :

8. Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of printed materials.

a. Recognize and demonstrate that print conveys meaning.

Examples: Share a favorite book with peers. Share a list of birthday gifts received.

b. With prompting and support, explain the roles of the author and illustrator of a text.

c. Track print, moving left to right and top to bottom on the printed page, returning to the beginning of the next line.

d. Identify the beginning and end of a sentence by locating the capital letter and end punctuation.

e. Point to words using one-to-one correspondence, noting that words are separated by spaces.

f. Distinguish letters from words within sentences.

g. Compare and contrast letters based upon similarities and differences, including name, shape, sound, and approach strokes for writing.

[ELA2021] (0) 9 :

9. Demonstrate early phonological awareness to basic phonemic awareness skills in spoken words.

a. Count the number of words in a spoken sentence.

b. Recognize alliterative spoken words.

c. Recognize and produce pairs of rhyming words and distinguish them from non-rhyming pairs using pictures and/or spoken words.

d. Count, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words, including compound words.

e. Blend and segment onsets and rimes of single-syllable spoken words.

f. Identify the initial, final, and medial sounds of spoken words.

g. Blend and segment phonemes in single-syllable spoken words made up of three to four phonemes.

h. Distinguish between commonly confused cognate consonant sounds, using knowledge of voiced and unvoiced sounds and manner of articulation.

Examples: /t/ and /d/, /p/ and /b/, /ch/ and /j/, /s/ and /z/, /f/ and /v/, /k/ and /g/, /sh/ and /zh/, /th/ (voiced and unvoiced)

Note: Standard 9 is important as a foundational phonemic awareness skill for all learners.

[ELA2021] (0) 15 :

15. Orally read and reread grade-appropriate decodable texts smoothly, accurately, and expressively, at an appropriate rate to support comprehension.

[ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

Phonics is an important part of literacy instruction that can be taught within the context of reading children's literature. This lesson incorporates the use of children's literature, in addition to various learning centers and activities that focus on learning about the letter m. Students will learn about phonics by participating in an integrated array of activities, including reading, writing, mathematics, music, art, and technology.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (0) -5 :

R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

[ELA2021] (0) 33 :

33. Express ideas orally and connect these ideas through drawing and emergent writing.

[ELA2021] (1) -5 :

R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

[ELA2021] (1) 12 :

12. Ask and answer questions about unfamiliar words and phrases in discussions and/or text.

a. Identify possessives and plurals and use them as clues to the meaning of text.

Example: Jack's coat, mom's car; pigs, pig's, pigs'

b. Identify meaningful parts of words (morphemes) and use them as clues to the meaning of unknown words, including frequently occurring affixes and inflections -s, -es, -ed, -ing, -er, and -est.

Examples: Explain that adding suffix -s changes a singular noun to a plural noun and adding suffix -ed changes a verb to past tense.

c. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words.

Examples: look, peek, glance, stare, glare; big, large, gigantic, monstrous
Act out tiptoe, creep, and march to distinguish shades of meaning in words related to walk.
Discuss synonyms and antonyms.

[ELA2021] (1) 30 :

30. Write legibly, using proper pencil grip.

a. Print upper and lowercase letters fluently, using proper approach strokes, letter formation, and line placement.

b. Print first and last names using proper letter formation, capitalization, and punctuation.

Examples: De'Andre McGill, Kim Mi-Sun, Juan de Jesus, Janie Parker

c. Use lower case letters in the majority of written work, using capitals only when appropriate.

d. Write letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order from memory.

[ELA2021] (1) 32 :

32. Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

a. Identify the required features of a sentence, including capitalization of the first word and end punctuation.

b. Transcribe spoken words to demonstrate that print represents oral language.

c. Compose a simple sentence, including a subject and a predicate, that expresses a complete thought.

d. With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun, verb, and adjective within a sentence and describe the type of the information it conveys.

e. Write the correct number of words, with proper spacing, for a spoken phrase or sentence.

f. Begin each sentence with a capital letter.

g. Capitalize the pronoun I and names of individuals.

h. Use commas in dates and words in a series.

i. With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation, utilizing appropriate academic vocabulary.

Example: period for declarative sentences, question mark for interrogative sentences, exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences

[ELA2021] (2) -5 :

R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

[ELA2021] (2) -1 :

R5. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (2) 7 :

7. Demonstrate standard English usage when speaking.

a. Use collective nouns.

b. Form and use frequently-occurring irregular plural nouns.

c. Use reflexive pronouns.

d. Form and use past tense forms of frequently-occurring irregular verbs.

e. Use adjectives and adverbs.

f. Produce and expand complete simple and compound sentences when speaking.

Students are likely to know many more words than they use in their writing. This lesson is designed to help students better use their vocabulary by teaching (or reviewing) what verbs are and to help them access verbs they already know and use them in sentences. Students work together to brainstorm and create lists of verbs for each of the letters of the alphabet. Then, choosing one verb for each letter, they create pages for an Action Alphabet book. Each page includes an illustration and a sentence using the verb in context. The project can be adapted according to age level and language ability. Students in kindergarten may work together on a class book, while older students may work in small groups or individually. Similarly, the complexity of the example sentences will vary depending on students' writing levels.