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:

  1. Love it!!! This is perfect for spelling sentences

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  2. 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!

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  3. 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!!!

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

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  5. 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

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  6. 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

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  7. 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!

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  8. 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.

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

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  10. 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

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

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  14. 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

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  15. 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/

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

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