- Definition
Conventions are the common rules or expected ways of doing things in writing, speaking, or creating, like using proper grammar or how a certain type of story is usually told. These rules help us understand what we're reading or watching.
Using a capital letter to show the start of a sentence is a writing convention.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Conventions are like the rules for getting dressed — we all know to put our socks on before our shoes.
Ask your child: Where do we start reading on this page?
Common mix-up: Kids may think writing can be done any which way. Conventions are like friendly rules that help everyone read our ideas.
Examples
- Putting a space between each word so they don't all squish together.
- Reading the words on a page from left to right and top to bottom.
conventions is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 2 The Arts
- Grade 3 The Arts
- Grade 4 The Arts
- Grade 7 The Arts
- Grade 8 The Arts
- Kindergarten Kindergarten
+17 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
