How to Sequence Your Grammar and Mechanics Curriculum for Maximum Success

Planning your grammar and mechanics curriculum can feel like putting together a puzzle. The good news is that by thoughtfully sequencing the topics, you can help your students build a strong foundation and gradually develop more complex skills. In this post, I'll share a suggested sequence that has worked well for my classroom, starting with sentences and moving through parts of speech, capitalization, comma rules, quotation marks, and punctuation. Remember, this sequence is flexible, so feel free to adjust it to meet the needs of your students!

Oh, and if you're ready to take a deep dive into this suggested Scope and Sequence, grab this free outline for grammar and mechanics curriculum here.

1. Start with Sentences

Sentences are the building blocks of writing, so it's the perfect place to begin. 

In this unit, focus on the four types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory) and the components of a complete sentence (subject and predicate). This foundation will prepare students to understand how different parts of speech fit together to form coherent thoughts.

--- Key Concepts: Types of sentences, subject and predicate, sentence structure

--- UNIT 1 - Sentences - 5 days / Doodle Flipbook, Practice Pages, Quiz

2. Explore Parts of Speech

Once students have a grasp of sentences, it's time to dive into the parts of speech. 

Understanding nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections is crucial because these elements are the words that build sentences. Teach each part of speech individually, emphasizing how they function within a sentence. Activities like identifying and sorting parts of speech will solidify students' understanding.

--- Key Concepts: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections

--- UNIT 2 - Parts of Speech - 13 Days / Doodle Notes, Practice Pages, Quiz

3. Move on to Capitalization

With a good understanding of sentences and parts of speech, students are ready to learn the rules of capitalization.  

This unit covers when and where to capitalize, including the first word in a sentence, proper nouns, titles, and more. Reinforcing these rules will help students polish their writing and ensure it's clear and correct.

--- Key Concepts: Capitalizing proper nouns, the first word in a sentence, titles, and special cases

--- UNIT 3 - Capitalization - 6 Days / Doodle Desk Mat, Practice Pages, Quiz

4. Introduce Comma Rules

Next, it's time to tackle one of the trickiest punctuation marks—the comma. 

Students often struggle with where and when to use commas, so breaking this unit down into manageable rules is key. Cover topics like commas in a series, after introductory elements, in compound sentences, and to set off nonessential information.

--- Key Concepts: Commas in a series, after introductory elements, in compound sentences, with coordinating conjunctions, and in nonessential clauses

--- UNIT 4 - Comma Rules - 11 Days / Doodle Notes Packet, Practice Pages, Quiz

5. Teach Quotation Marks

With commas under their belts, students are ready to learn about quotation marks. 

This unit focuses on how to punctuate dialogue and titles, using quotation marks correctly. Understanding how quotation marks work with other punctuation marks, especially commas and periods, is an essential skill for writing accurately.

--- Key Concepts: Punctuating dialogue, quoting text, using quotation marks with other punctuation

--- UNIT 5 - Quotation Marks - 5 Days / Doodle Desk Mat, Practice Pages, Quiz

6. Wrap Up with Punctuation

Finally, round out your curriculum with a comprehensive unit on punctuation.  

This includes everything from periods and question marks to more advanced punctuation like colons, semicolons, and apostrophes. By the time students reach this unit, they’ll have a solid foundation to understand the nuances of each punctuation mark and how it enhances clarity and meaning in writing.

--- Key Concepts: Periods, question marks, exclamation marks, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, parentheses, dashes

--- UNIT 6 - Punctuation - 10 Days / Doodle Stations, Practice Pages, Quiz

Flexibility is Key

While this sequence provides a logical progression, it’s important to remember that flexibility is key. Every class is different, and you may find that your students need more time on one topic or benefit from revisiting earlier concepts. Don’t be afraid to adjust the order or pace based on their needs. The goal is to create a supportive learning environment where students feel confident as they build their grammar and mechanics skills.

Again, here's my suggested order (check the links for more detailed lesson ideas)...

UNIT 1 - Sentences

UNIT 2 - Parts of Speech

UNIT 3 - Capitalization

UNIT 4 - Comma Rules

UNIT 5 - Quotation Marks

UNIT 6 - Punctuation

By following this sequence, you'll help your students develop a strong, step-by-step understanding of grammar and mechanics. Starting with sentences and gradually introducing more complex concepts ensures that students have the tools they need to succeed in their writing. 

Don't forget to grab the FREE Scope and Sequence for planning your grammar and mechanics curriculum here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Beth

P.S. One of my favorite ways to review grammar instruction is with games! Check out this ready-made collection of grammar games!