Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQ’s)

What if we need to add a word that isn’t in our Word Bank?
If you must add a new unknown word with new letters, try to limit the strange words to only one per story. As you write the word, underline or outline the entire word. Then tell your child, this is the word..(name). Your child will then see that word as a shaped word rather than a phonetic sound-out word. With practice, children can learn to recognize certain shaped words and say them as though they were reading.

There will be certain things which are bound to come up which your child will not be ready to learn. We call these TEACH THROUGH TIMES. Simply say, “We’ll cover this word in a later lesson, for today, this is the word, _____________”

What about adding more words by adding endings like “ed” and “s”?
You will find your stories much more interesting if you can add endings as you go. Feel free to add simple endings as often as you like as long as your child can read them easily.

Do I need to teach grammar as we go?

Yes, and no. We only teach these basics in levels 125-175.
Capitalizing the first letter in a sentence.
Put a stop-spot period at the end of a telling sentence.
Put a question mark at the end of an asking sentence.
A noun is a naming word.
A verb is an action word.
Always capitalize the word, “I.”

Early Grammar Primer

In levels 125 through 175, we will be learning basic grammar concepts, as shown above. Our friend to help us learn about grammar is Danny the Dog. Danny loves to practice his grammar, so you will see Danny wherever there is a grammar lesson. We put the grammar lesson at the beginning of each Writing Rivers lesson.