Grammar:
- Uses commas correctly
- Spells grade level words correctly
- Uses varied sentence patterns (complex sentence structure vs simple sentences)
- Recognizes and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tenses (past, present, and future)
Writing:
- Writes narrative stories
- Writes opinion papers
- Writes informational (research) papers
- Differences between academic forms of writing and creative forms of writing
- Free writes - personal writing time
- Poetry practice - usually with sentence stemming and poem formats to "fill in"
- Creative writings (including RAFTS)
- Letter writing (letter format)
- Keeping of a writer's notebook - wonderings, findings, thoughts, etc.