instruction and pacing When to Teach Language Standards Related to The Standards outline the following language standards for grammar for (in the chart below). Note that this progression suggests that even middle school students review, at grade level, earlier standards. The Flex Day self-guided lesson activities cover the key grammar topics called out for grade 6-8. The Amplify ELA four-volume series, Mastering Conventions, provides approximately 1,000 pages of targeted grammar instruction and skill drills. The volumes provide instruction for middle schoolers, but also address foundational skills middle school students may not have fully mastered in grades 3 5. The chart below shows just a few of the many lessons in Mastering Conventions that address each progressive and middle grade skill and correspond to the lesson activities in that Flex Day. On the Flex Day mentioned, the Materials section of the Flex Day lesson brief includes the Mastering Conventions lessons listed in this chart to provide whole class instruction on that topic. Use additional lessons from Mastering Conventions and from the Foundational column for students who require more reinforcement. The pacing of the Flex Days make sure that every student is current on both foundational and grade-level skills, and, where workable, to make it possible for advanced students to achieve even greater control over sentence mechanics and usage. Note that the most important part of Amplify ELA grammar instruction is to follow each bit of grammar instruction with an opportunity for students to practice the skill in a meaningful piece of writing and to get authentic feedback on the clarity and power of their sentences. Volumes below refer to Volumes 1 through 4 of Mastering Conventions. Standards below refer to CA CCSS. Lesson Activities UNIT B Flex Day 1 The Complete Stream I: The Basic Complete 3. Defining a Complete - Simple Subject and 4. The Simple Subject: Nouns 5. The Simple : Verbs 6. Identifying and Fixing Complete s I 7. RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.6.1e Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others writing and speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language. Lesson 1: Capitalizing and Punctuating s To Teach Standard L.6.1e Unit 5 Lesson 25: Formal and Informal Writing Styles Code-Switching
Standard L.4.3a* Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely. StandardL.3.1.A Explain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general and their functions in particular sentences. Lesson 1: Capitalizing and Punctuating s To Review Standard L.4.3a Lesson 3: Defining and Identifying Nouns Lesson 6: Defining and Identifying Verbs Lesson 10: Defining and Identifying Adjectives Lesson 11: Defining and Identifying Adverbs) Stream II: Expanding the Complete 8. Modifying the Subject: Adjective 9. Modifying the : Adverb 10. Dependent and Independent Clauses Dependent Markers 11. Identifying and Fixing Complete s II 12. RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard.L.7.1.A Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences. Standard.L.4.1.F inappropriate fragments and runons.* To Review Standard L.4.1F Unit 4 Lesson 23: Defining and Identifying Clauses Lesson 24: Finding and Fixing Fragments Flex Day 2 The Complete Stream I: The Basic Complete 3. Defining a Complete Simple Subject and To Review Standard L.4.3b L.4.1f.* inappropriate fragments and run-ons. Lesson 2: Capitalizing and Punctuating s
4. The Simple Subject : Simple Subject 5. The Simple Prediccate: Simple Standard L.4.3b* Choose punctuation for effect. 6. Identifying and Fixing Complete s I 7. RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Stream I: The Basic Complete Stream II: Expanding the Complete 8. Modifying the Subject: Adjective 9. Modifying the : Adverb 10. Dependent and Independent Clauses Dependent Markers 11. Identifying and Fixing Complete s II 12. RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard.L.7.1.A Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences. Standard L.5.2a* Use punctuation to separate items in a series. Unit 4 Lesson 21: Reviewing Complete s Lesson 22: Identifying and Fixing Fragments That Are Prepositional Lesson 23: Defining Clauses To Review Standard L.5.2a Lesson 10: Defining and Identifying Adjectives Skill Drill 10B: Using Commas Between Adjectives Lesson 24: Finding and Fixing Fragments Flex Day 3 The Complete Stream I: The Basic Complete 3: Defining a Complete The Implied Subject Standard L.3.3a* Choose words and phrases for effect. Lesson 3: Defining Nouns Defining Adjectives To Review Standard L.3.3a Lesson 8: Using Modal Helping Verbs to Show More About the Action
4: The Simple Subject Gerunds 5: The Simple : The Auxiliary Verb 6: Identifying and Fixing Complete s I 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Lesson 6: Defining Verbs Lesson 10: Defining Adjectives Lesson 11: Defining Adverbs Lesson 10: Defining and Identifying Adjectives Lesson 11: Defining and Identifying Adverbs Stream II: Expanding the Complete 8: Modifying the Subject : Prepositional 9: Modifying the : Prepositional phrases 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses: Building s I s II 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent ClausesStream II: Expanding the Complete Standard L.7.1.C Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, misplaced and dangling modifiers. *Standard L.6.2a Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/ parenthetical elements. Standard L.6.2b Spell correctly. L.4.1.E Form and use prepositional phrases. Unit 4 Lesson 21: Reviewing Complete s Lesson 22: Identifying and Fixing Fragments That Are Prepositional Lesson 23: Defining Clauses Lesson 24: Finding and Fixing Fragments To Teach Standard L.6.2a Volume 2 Lesson 2: Using a Comma After an Introductory Clause L.4.1f.* inappropriate fragments and run-ons. Note: Activity 13 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in
Flex Day 4 The Complete Stream I: The Basic Complete 3. Defining a Complete Distinguishing the Simple Subject and from Modifiers 4: The Simple Subject Compound Subject 5: The Simple : Compound 6: Identifying and Fixing Complete s I 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.6.3a Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style. Lesson 2: Capitalizing and Punctuating To Teach Standard L.6.3a Volume 2 Unit 3 Lesson 10: Defining and Identifying Compound s Stream II: Expanding the Complete 8. Modifying the Subject: Adjective Clauses 9. Modifying the : Adverb Clauses 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses: Building s II s II 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard.L.7.1.A Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences. Standard.L.7.1.C Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, misplaced and dangling modifiers.* UNIT C Flex Day 1 The Pronoun Stream I: Understanding the Pronoun 3: Identifying Pronouns 4: Subject pronouns--basic Personal Pronouns: Basic Rules of Agreement Standard L.6.1a Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Lesson 5: Defining Pronouns To Teach Standard L.6.1a Unit 3 Lesson 16: Using Pronoun Case Correctly and Consistently
5: Object pronouons--basic Object Pronouns 6: Basic Possessive Pronouns 7: Basic Reflexive Pronouns 8: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns I Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive). Use all pronouns, including intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves) correctly. Stream II: Pronoun Usage: Agreement and Reference 9: Pronoun agreement I: Number Agreement With Antecedents 10: Pronoun agreement II: Indefinite Pronouns (phrases) 11: Clear pronoun reference I: Vague Pronoun Reference 12: Clear pronun reference II: Hidden Antecedents 13: Finding and Fixing Pronoun Errors 14: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns II Standard L.6.1c* shifts in pronoun number and person. Standard L.6.1d* Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents) : L.3.1f* Ensure subject-verb and pronounantecedent agreement. Note: Activity 15 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in Flex Day 2 The Pronoun Stream I: Understanding the Pronoun 3: Identifying PronounsBasic 4: Subject pronouns--personal Pronouns: Basic Rules of Agreement 5: Object pronouons--basic Object Pronouns 6: Basic Possessive Pronouns 7: Reflexive vs. Objective Pronouns 8: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns I To Teach Standard L.6.1a Standard L.6.1c shifts in pronoun number and person. Standard.L.6.1.A Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive). Lesson 5: Defining and IdentifyingPronouns
Standard L.6.1.B Use intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves). Unit 3 Lesson 16: Using Pronoun Case Correctly and Consistently Stream II: Pronoun Usage: Agreement and Reference 9: Pronoun agreement I: Number Agreement and Noun 10: Pronoun agreement II: Indefinite Pronouns (singular or plural) 11: Clear pronoun reference I: Vague Pronoun Reference 12: Clear pronun reference II: No Antecedents 13: Finding and Fixing Pronoun Errors 14: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns II Standard L.6.1d* Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents) Note: Activity 15 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in Flex Day 3 The Pronoun Stream I: Understanding the Pronoun 3: Recognizing the Antecedent 4: Personal Pronouns: Demonstrative Pronouns Distinct from Adjectives 5: Demonstrative Pronouns Distinct from Adjectives 6: Possessive Pronouns, Adjectives, Contractions 7: Agreements With Indefinite Pronouns 8: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns I Standard L.6.1c shifts in pronoun number and person. L.4.1g* Correctly use frequently confused words (e.g., to/too/two; there/ their). To Teach Standard L.6.1c Volume 2 Unit 5 Lesson 19: Introducing Intensive Pronouns Skill Drills: 19A, 19B, 19C
Stream II: Pronoun Usage: Agreement and Reference 9: Pronoun agreement I: Issues With Person 10: Pronoun agreement II: Relative Pronouns 11: Vague Pronoun Reference and Identifying Antecedents in Longer Passages 12: Clear pronun reference II: Vague Relative Pronouns 13: Finding and Fixing Pronoun Errors 14: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns II Standard L.6.1d Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents) To Teach Standard L.6.1d Unit 3 Lesson 16: Using Pronoun Case Correctly and Consistently Lesson 20: Introducing Reflexive Pronouns Note: Activity 15 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in Flex Day 4 The Pronoun Stream I: Understanding the Pronoun 3: Recognizing the Antecedent 4: Personal Pronouns: Demonstrative Pronouns Distinct from Adjectives 5: Demonstrative Pronouns Distinct from Adjectives 6: Possessive Pronouns, Adjectives, Contractions 7: Agreements With Indefinite Pronouns 8: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns I Standard L.4.1g* Correctly use frequently confused words (e.g., to/too/ two; there/their). To Review Standard L.4.1g Unit 3 Lesson 17: Distinguishing Between Your and You re Lesson 18: Distinguishing Between Their and They re Lesson 19: Distinguishing Between Its and It s Stream II: Pronoun Usage: Agreement and Reference 9: Pronoun agreement I: Inconsistent Shifts in Person Standard L.6.1c shifts in pronoun number and person.
10: Pronoun agreement II: Demonstrative Pronouns 11: Vague Pronoun Reference and Identifying Antecedents in Longer Passages 12: Clear pronun reference II: Identifying Antecedents 13: Finding and Fixing Pronoun Errors 14: RA & Writing Prompt: Pronouns II Standard L.6.1d Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents) Note: Activity 15 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in UNIT D Flex Day 1 Verb Tense I and the Basic Complete Stream I: Verb Tense I 3: Recognizing Verbs and Time Markers: Identifying Verbs (regular verbs) 4: Basic Verb Tenses: Regular Present and Past Tense Verbs 5: Perfect Tenses: Present Perfect 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors: Verb Consistency 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Basic Verb Tenses To Review Standard L.5.1d Volume1 Lesson 7: Understanding How Verb Tense Shows When Action Occurs Stream II: The Basic Complete : Part 2 8: Defining a Complete : Simple Subject and 9: The Simple Subject: Nouns 10: The Simple : Verbs s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.4.1f inappropriate fragments and runons. Note: Activity 13 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in resposne to text: focus and use of evidence.
Flex Day 2 Verb Tense I and the Basic Complete Stream I: Verb Tense I 3: Recognizing Verbs and Time Markers: Identifying the Time of the Action Using Verb Tense and Time Markers 4: Basic Verb Tenses: Irregular Present and Past Tense Verbs 5: Perfect Tenses: Present Perfect vs. Simple Past 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors: Verb Consistency 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Basic Verb Tenses Stream II: The Basic Complete : Part 2 8: Defining a Complete : Simple Subject and 9: The Simple Subject: Simple Subject 10: The Simple : Simple s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.4.1f inappropriate fragments and run-ons. Flex Day 3 Verb Tense I and the Basic Complete Stream I: Verb Tense I 3: Recognizing Verbs and Time Markers: Identifying Verbs (irregular verbs) 4: Basic Verb Tenses: Present and Past Continuous 5: Perfect Tenses: Past Perfect
6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors: Reported Speech 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Basic Verb Tenses Stream II: The Basic Complete : Part 2 8: Defining a Complete : The Implied Subject 9: The Simple Subject: Gerunds 10: The Simple : Auxiliary Verbs s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.4.1f inappropriate fragments and run-ons. Note: Activity 15 contains revision assigments and a writing prompt that provide additional practice with the foundational skills for writing in Flex Day 4 Verb Tense I and the Basic Complete Stream I: Verb Tense I 3: Recognizing Verbs and Time Markers: Identifying the Time of the Action Using Verb Tense and Time Markers 4: Basic Verb Tenses: Future Tense 5: Perfect Tenses: Present Perfect Continuous 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors: Writing About Text in the Present Tense 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Basic Verb Tenses
Stream II: The Basic Complete : Part 2 8: Defining a Complete : Distinguishing Key Components From Modifiers 9: The Simple Subject: Compound Subject 10: The Simple : Compound s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Subject and Standard L.4.1f inappropriate fragments and runons. UNIT E Flex Day 1 Verb Mood & Voice and Expanding the Stream I: Verb Tense II Verb Moods, Modals, and Voice 3: Verb Mood: Indicative 4: Verb Modals and Subjunctive Mood: Modals for Probability 5: Active and Passive Voice: Recognizing Active and Passive Voice 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Verb Moods and Voice Streaming II: Expanding the Complete Part 2 8: Subject Modifiers: Adjectives 9: Modifiers: Adverbs 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses: Independent vs. Dependent Clauses Standard L.6.3b Maintain consistency in style and tone. Standard L.4.1f* inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Flex Day 2 Verb Mood & Voice and Expanding the Stream I: Verb Tense II Verb Moods, Modals, and Voice 3: Verb Mood: Interrogative 4: Verb Modals and Subjunctive Mood: Modals for Permission 5: Active and Passive Voice: Why Do We Need an Active and a Passive Voice? 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Verb Moods and Voice Streaming II: Expanding the Complete Part 2 8: Subject Modifiers: Adjective 9: Modifiers: Adverb 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses:Dependent Markers s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard L.6.3b Maintain consistency in style and tone. Standard L.4.1f* inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
Flex Day 3 Verb Mood & Voice and Expanding the Stream I: Verb Tense II Verb Moods, Modals, and Voice 3: Verb Mood: Imperative 4: Verb Modals and Subjunctive Mood: Modals for Obligation and Suggestion 5: Active and Passive Voice: Identifying Passive s 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Verb Moods and Voice Streaming II: Expanding the Complete Part 2 8: Subject Modifiers: Prepositional 9: Modifiers: Prepositional 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses: Building s I s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard L.6.3b* Maintain consistency in style and tone. Standard L.4.1f* inappropriate fragments and runons. Flex Day 4 Verb Mood & Voice and Expanding the Stream I: Verb Tense II Verb Moods, Modals, and Voice 3: Verb Mood: Conditional 4: Verb Modals and Subjunctive Mood: Subjunctive Standard L.6.3b Maintain consistency in style and tone. To Teach Standard L.6.3b Volume1 Unit 5 Lesson 26: Formal and Informal Writing Styles Code-Switching
5: Active and Passive Voice: Changing s from the Passive to Active 6: Finding and Fixing Common Errors 7: RA & Writing Prompt: Verb Moods and Voice Streaming II: Expanding the Complete Part 2 8: Subject Modifiers: Adjective Clauses 9: Modifiers: Adverb Clauses 10: Dependent and Independent Clauses: Building s II s 12: RA & Writing Prompt: Modifiers and Dependent Clauses Standard L.4.1f* inappropriate fragments and run-ons.