Saturday, January 21, 2012

The CUPS Checklist


For a few years now, I have been using the CUPS acronym to help my students proofread their sentences. As a resource teacher, my students struggle with the very basic writing mechanics. This handy little tool reinforces the basic things that all sentences should have.

Capital- Does you sentence begin with a capital letter?
Understanding- Read your sentences. Does it make sense? Did you write what you think you wrote? Many times kiddos will leave out words on accident. This step is very helpful in catching those little mistakes.
Period (or punctuation)- Does your sentence have an end mark?
Spaces (or spelling)-  This is something that a few of my little guys really struggle with. For older or more advanced students, you can change this to spelling. Are word wall words spelled correctly?

This tool should be taught as a mini lesson and reinforce during writers workshop. An anchor chart in the classroom is very helpful.  I will try to post a picture of mine soon.

Each week, I have my students write a few sentences  with their spelling words. I created these pages (one horizontal, one vertical) for independent writing practice. Each sentence includes a CUPS checklist. Students should go back through each sentence and put a check mark by the letter after they have checked or made the appropriate corrections. If students turn in writing that lacking these essential elements, I simply tell them to "check for cups." They know what to do.


Tell me what you guys think? Do you use something similar to this in your classrooms?

27 comments:

YearntoLearn said...

Love this! I've used COPS in a similar way.


Yearn to Learn Blog

Miss Kindergarten said...

Love it!!! This is perfect for spelling sentences

Hilary Lewis said...

This is neat! Thanks for sharing!

Hilary
Rockin' Teacher Materials

Mommy4M said...

Love this! Thank you!

Jude Eastman M.Ed. and IAC/MCC said...

I'm loving it! We're starting Conventions in 1st grade (6 Trait Writing) next week. I'm so tired of what students believe is a complete sentence of that makes sense! Not to mention capitals and punctuation! I'll be using this!

weety said...

Love this acronym, too! I use C//. in my class. The kids write this at the top of their papers with a circle around it. Then they cross out each piece with an x as they are done checking for it.
C (Capital)
// (2 finger space)
. (period)
I teach Kindergarten and it really helps!!!

Sandra said...

LOVE! Thanks for the freebies!
❤ Sandra
Sweet Times in First
sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

Jennyfer said...

I love the anchor chart! I use CUPS also, my u stands for usage - does it make sense? But I like how you put understand. Thanks for sharing.

Jennyfer
www.teachinginthecouv.blogspot.com

Jen R said...

omgosh!! I love this idea! Thank you for this! I can't wait to try this with my 2nd graders when I get back to work :)

The Teachers’ Cauldron

Nancy said...

I use CUPS with my 4th graders, as well. However, the U is usage (like mentioned above by Jennyfer and the S is spelling. I also color code. When proofreading...circle C (capitals) in green, correct U (usage errors)in blue, circle P (punctuation) in red, and circle any words you even THINK are spelled (S) incorrectly. They also correct any errors they find in the selected color. The rough draft becomes very "colorful" but it seems to help!

Kim said...

this is awesome thank you

Kim
First Grade Facts

Heather Unger said...

Nancy, I love the idea of color coding. Green for go at the beginning to check capitals. Red for punctuation at the end to stop. Thanks for sharing.

Deb said...

What a cute way to remind students. Thanks for sharing:)

Sarah said...

Hi! I just came across your blog and this is really cute! I love your ideas (new follower) come follow me for some math ideas and centers :)
~sarah
funintitlemath.blogspot.com

SCTiger said...

You have been tagged for Bloggy Tag! I enjoy your blog, and thought you might want to participate!
http://literacyminute.blogspot.com/2012/01/bloggy-tag.html

Sarah said...

I tagged you on my blog! Come check it out to play!:)
~Sarah
funintitlemath.blogspot.com

Alison Whiteley said...

Hi:) I tagged you in my latest blog post, and I can't wait to learn more about you!

http://toad-allyexceptionallearners.blogspot.com

Kim @ Mrs. Hs Resource Room said...

Cute blog and I really like your CUPS sheets. I am also a resource teacher, but for grades 3-5. I've found some great stuff on here that I am excited to modify to use with the older kids!!

Kim
mrshsresourceroom.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love the sentence sheets! I have an "Exceptional Edits" anchor chart in our classroom, but I love the idea of putting this in a Work Work rotation as opposed to the more typical Journal Edits. What a great way to have kids practice spelling words while emphasizing the importance of checking over their writing. Thanks!

Ellen
greatfirstgradeexpectations.blogspot.com/

Tried and True Reading said...

CUPS is perfect acronym to help kids remember their writing checks! I love this! Theresa

iffatali said...

Acting, to me, is about the incredible adventure of examining the landscape of human heart and soul. That’s basically what we do.
Flights to Harare
Cheap Flights to Harare
Cheap Air Tickets to Harare

flights to lagos and accra said...

I have wandered all my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.
Cheap Flights to Ghana

flights to lagos and accra said...

I have wandered all my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.
Cheap Flights to Ghana

flights to lagos and accra said...

I have wandered all my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.
Cheap Flights to Ghana

inka lido said...

By correcting you as you write, and suggesting better ways to phrase things, an online grammar checker can improve your writing, acting as a virtual tutor. After using an online grammar checker for a while, you may find that your writing is better naturally, and you don't need so many corrections! grammar check software

Anonymous said...

Differentiation Station: The Cups Checklist >>>>> Download Now

>>>>> Download Full

Differentiation Station: The Cups Checklist >>>>> Download LINK

>>>>> Download Now

Differentiation Station: The Cups Checklist >>>>> Download Full

>>>>> Download LINK ez

Online Shiksha | Online Tuition Classes and Education Tips said...

Hi,
This is really a nice blog by you. I really appreciate your efforts for this blog. Keep it up and keep posting such blogs.
The GK Olympiad is a part of a student's academic career. It tests the student’s knowledge of general knowledge, history, culture, sports, etc. Most of the parents start their child to appear in GK Olympiad from 2nd class onwards. There are many subjects students have to prepare for the GK olympiad for which they seek GK olympiad for class 2. The need for GK Olympiad class has increased rapidly as there are many students who appear for the GK Olympiad every year.

Post a Comment