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I do
By jsmith

We started using Scott-Foresman this year. Our district had them align it with our curriculum in NC. We use their assessments every 9 weeks the skills test. We did the benchmark, but we comlained because it would have
forced us to teach too many different kinds of writing.
In our district the first 9 weeks is spent redoing narrative writing from 4th grade, then we move to clarification writing which is tested in the 2nd and 3rd nine weeks. We also have to teach letters, book reviews, inforamational papers, and poetry. WE are also required to use a writing program called Write from the Beginning.

This program works well for narrative writing but not so well with clarification.

Now to answer your question, we were told that we didn't have to teach everything that Scott foresman has in it. We were to pick and choose what works for us. Of course it was implied thet the students still needed to do well on the skills tests. I've struck a fine balance, I do the skill for the week, the story, the vocabulary and the grammar and spelling. I don't do the phonics and I only do the study skills at the end of the unit before the skills test. I then supplement from other materials. I even taught a couple of novels, because I don't think just reading a story a week is enough reading for my fifth graders.

As for writing, I maybe had them do one narrativeevery two weeks or so then we would refine it for a week or so. With clarification, I did one paper every week for about three weeks until I felt they had the basics of a good clarification paper, then I focused on mini lessons included in our Write from the beginning program that focused on precise language, i.e. descriptive words, vivid verbs, etc..

All of that said it is difficult to balance, Scott Forseman has some good material, however they don't cover everything that my students will need on the EOG test in NC. That is why I supplement from my personal materials.

Email me if you want more pointers or what not about good ole SF.

I hoped this helped in some way.

Jamie