Comments for WritingFix: Community for Writing Teachers http://writingfix2.edublogs.org Teachers Sharing Writing Lessons. Teachers Adapting Writing Lessons. Teachers Sharing Adaptations. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:09:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Using the “Top Secret Rule Reasons!” lesson by Diana Armitage http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-top-secret-rule-reasons-lesson/#comment-31 Diana Armitage Sun, 04 May 2008 06:30:48 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-top-secret-rule-reasons-lesson/#comment-31 I followed the lesson exactly as outlined on the lesson page beginning with a read-aloud of David Wiseniewski's The Secret Knowledge of Grownups. We used the online interactive choices as a group. The students then used the Rules planning sheet. After drafting, we revised for ideas and voice, edited for conventions, and published our final drafts. The students were very creative, and many developed a humorous voice in their writing. Thanks for a great lesson. I followed the lesson exactly as outlined on the lesson page beginning with a read-aloud of David Wiseniewski’s The Secret Knowledge of Grownups. We used the online interactive choices as a group. The students then used the Rules planning sheet. After drafting, we revised for ideas and voice, edited for conventions, and published our final drafts. The students were very creative, and many developed a humorous voice in their writing. Thanks for a great lesson.

]]> Comment on Using the “Perspective Paragraph” Lesson by loretta abbott http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/04/16/using-the-perspective-paragraph-lesson/#comment-30 loretta abbott Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:35:28 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/04/16/using-the-perspective-paragraph-lesson/#comment-30 has anyone created a rubric for scoring the final drafts from the lesson "Tough Boris?" has anyone created a rubric for scoring the final drafts from the lesson “Tough Boris?”

]]> Comment on Using the “Start with What ISN’T There” Lesson. by Lacy Snelling http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/12/14/using-the-start-with-what-isnt-there-lesson/#comment-28 Lacy Snelling Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:15:42 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/12/14/using-the-start-with-what-isnt-there-lesson/#comment-28 My students thoroughly enjoyed this lesson. I shared the intro to the Caves book and asked them to share the feelings it invoked. We then talked about why they thought the author chose to begin in such a unique way. They decided that it was because he wanted to hook his readers in a way that wouldn't let them go. I then began my own story about an event from my life that held a great deal of emotion for me. I used strong "what wasn't there" ideas to produce my intended tone for my audience. Next, I asked class to think of an experience that created strong emotions for them and begin listing the ideas that WERE NOT THERE. They developed some very creative pieces with more emotion than I even could have predicted. Thank you for such a great tool to entice quality writing. My students thoroughly enjoyed this lesson. I shared the intro to the Caves book and asked them to share the feelings it invoked. We then talked about why they thought the author chose to begin in such a unique way. They decided that it was because he wanted to hook his readers in a way that wouldn’t let them go. I then began my own story about an event from my life that held a great deal of emotion for me. I used strong “what wasn’t there” ideas to produce my intended tone for my audience. Next, I asked class to think of an experience that created strong emotions for them and begin listing the ideas that WERE NOT THERE. They developed some very creative pieces with more emotion than I even could have predicted. Thank you for such a great tool to entice quality writing.

]]> Comment on Using the Daisy Comes Home Prompt by Alyson Wilson http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/11/15/using-the-daisy-comes-home-prompt/#comment-27 Alyson Wilson Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:25:06 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/11/15/using-the-daisy-comes-home-prompt/#comment-27 I used this activity pretty much straight from the provided lesson plan. What made it extra special was my class had just gone to the Oxbow Nature study for a field trip, we used this writing project the next day/week for a follow up activity. Since we were studying the Truckee River, the whole class used that for our river and they used animals that they might actually see while floating down the Truckee River.We all ended our trip at Pyramid Lake. We also used our Kid Pix in the computer lab to create a picture to match the story. I really liked how the graphic organizer helped the kids think about equal details-each animal got the same amount of attention in the story. Their final drafts were very well organized just by using the graphic organizer. I used this activity pretty much straight from the provided lesson plan. What made it extra special was my class had just gone to the Oxbow Nature study for a field trip, we used this writing project the next day/week for a follow up activity. Since we were studying the Truckee River, the whole class used that for our river and they used animals that they might actually see while floating down the Truckee River.We all ended our trip at Pyramid Lake. We also used our Kid Pix in the computer lab to create a picture to match the story. I really liked how the graphic organizer helped the kids think about equal details-each animal got the same amount of attention in the story. Their final drafts were very well organized just by using the graphic organizer.

]]> Comment on Using the Daisy Comes Home Prompt by David Brown http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/11/15/using-the-daisy-comes-home-prompt/#comment-26 David Brown Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:55:25 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/11/15/using-the-daisy-comes-home-prompt/#comment-26 The state of Georgias' third grade Social Studies standards include teaching about some of the major rivers in the United States. I adapted this lesson to use with these standards. I taught about the rivers, where they begin, end and animals they might see. Then the students chose a river, started their story at a certain location in the river, shared three animals from their chosen river they would see and then shared the location they got out of the river. It was a great way to see what they know about the rivers I taught. The state of Georgias’ third grade Social Studies standards include teaching about some of the major rivers in the United States. I adapted this lesson to use with these standards. I taught about the rivers, where they begin, end and animals they might see. Then the students chose a river, started their story at a certain location in the river, shared three animals from their chosen river they would see and then shared the location they got out of the river. It was a great way to see what they know about the rivers I taught.

]]> Comment on Using “The Important Book” lesson by Rachelle http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-important-book-lesson/#comment-25 Rachelle Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:11:43 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-important-book-lesson/#comment-25 The Important Book has such a great frame that I like to start out the year by introducing the book to my fourth graders. We then use the book to creat our rules for the classroom by making the "important things about being a successful student." I even have them create important things about an extraordinary teacher, which gives me a good idea of what they expect from me! The Important Book has such a great frame that I like to start out the year by introducing the book to my fourth graders. We then use the book to creat our rules for the classroom by making the “important things about being a successful student.” I even have them create important things about an extraordinary teacher, which gives me a good idea of what they expect from me!

]]> Comment on Using “The Important Book” lesson by Heidi Warren http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-important-book-lesson/#comment-23 Heidi Warren Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:42:46 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/02/13/using-the-important-book-lesson/#comment-23 I used the frame of The Important Book in my first grade class for math. We made a big book called The Important Things About Shapes. After reading The Important Book and talking about the frame, each group was given many different cutouts of the same shape, i.e. triangles, squares, circles and rectangles. Their task was to write the important things about each shape. I gave them a large piece of tag board and they decorated their page with the shapes and what they had written then we put the book together and we keep it in the class library for everyone to enjoy. I am planning on using this same idea for money and the important things about each coin. I used the frame of The Important Book in my first grade class for math. We made a big book called The Important Things About Shapes. After reading The Important Book and talking about the frame, each group was given many different cutouts of the same shape, i.e. triangles, squares, circles and rectangles. Their task was to write the important things about each shape. I gave them a large piece of tag board and they decorated their page with the shapes and what they had written then we put the book together and we keep it in the class library for everyone to enjoy. I am planning on using this same idea for money and the important things about each coin.

]]> Comment on Using the “Three-Meal Weather” Lesson by Mrs. Jill Ryan http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/12/14/using-the-three-meal-weather-lesson/#comment-22 Mrs. Jill Ryan Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:58:59 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2007/12/14/using-the-three-meal-weather-lesson/#comment-22 First of all, my students love these books each year I've read them and it only made these books so much more fun when using the lesson plans that the Nevada Writing Project has generously provided for educators. I teach 4th grade and each fall, we are required to instruct students on being healthy and inform them about proper wellness. Since Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs discusses many types of foods, I thought I would adjust this lesson by having my students create a balanced meal while supplementing great use of word choice through adjectives. Students were asked to create three meals that were balanced and included all of the food groups we had been discussing. The writing piece also included skills from English we had been learning as well regarding adjectives. The writing pieces turned out great. Students had a great time being creative using ideas from the book to enhance their writing. It was great they could also use their knowledge from our Wellness unit included in their writing. Thanks for the great idea! First of all, my students love these books each year I’ve read them and it only made these books so much more fun when using the lesson plans that the Nevada Writing Project has generously provided for educators.

I teach 4th grade and each fall, we are required to instruct students on being healthy and inform them about proper wellness. Since Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs discusses many types of foods, I thought I would adjust this lesson by having my students create a balanced meal while supplementing great use of word choice through adjectives. Students were asked to create three meals that were balanced and included all of the food groups we had been discussing. The writing piece also included skills from English we had been learning as well regarding adjectives.

The writing pieces turned out great. Students had a great time being creative using ideas from the book to enhance their writing. It was great they could also use their knowledge from our Wellness unit included in their writing.

Thanks for the great idea!

]]> Comment on Using the “Other Bad Cases to Write About” Lessons by Barb Farber http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/03/24/using-the-other-bad-cases-to-write-about-lessons/#comment-14 Barb Farber Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:53:33 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/03/24/using-the-other-bad-cases-to-write-about-lessons/#comment-14 A Bad Case Of Strips is a book my students have always loved. When the dicussion of what veggies they like but are afraid to tell people comes up they are so talkative I really hate to stop them. Colors and patterns are something they know, so writing a parody for this book is easy but energetic. I begin by reading the book, then we discuss the possibilities. We talk about what might happen next if the old lady did not come. We add to the story- it appeears it is non stop. I ask them to close their minds and usually will work on a small project then come back. When I come back to this project I ask my students to open their journals and pick one fruit or vegetable. Next, I ask them to pick flamboyant colors and designs or patterns. They are to write this down in their journals. Finally, write a topic sentence and a solution sentence. Now they are given "free write" time to complete their own parody of A Bad Case Of Stripes. Some times I have a group of four or more students work together to genereate the story. A Bad Case Of Strips is a book my students have always loved. When the dicussion of what veggies they like but are afraid to tell people comes up they are so talkative I really hate to stop them. Colors and patterns are something they know, so writing a parody for this book is easy but energetic. I begin by reading the book, then we discuss the possibilities. We talk about what might happen next if the old lady did not come. We add to the story- it appeears it is non stop. I ask them to close their minds and usually will work on a small project then come back. When I come back to this project I ask my students to open their journals and pick one fruit or vegetable. Next, I ask them to pick flamboyant colors and designs or patterns. They are to write this down in their journals. Finally, write a topic sentence and a solution sentence. Now they are given “free write” time to complete their own parody of A Bad Case Of Stripes. Some times I have a group of four or more students work together to genereate the story.

]]> Comment on Using the “Rolling with the Animals” Lesson by Barb Farber http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/03/07/using-the-rolling-with-the-animals-lesson/#comment-12 Barb Farber Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:11:27 +0000 http://writingfix2.edublogs.org/2008/03/07/using-the-rolling-with-the-animals-lesson/#comment-12 Ducks On A Bike was an awesome book to involve my students in writing. They were enchanted by the story and illustrations when I read it to them. Once we read the book we talked and webbed about other animals and what type of transportation they may use. I encouraged odd transportation but something that wasn't to far off base from the animals natural habitat. Next, I allowed them to "free" write in their journals. Students were encouraged to share their writing (draft) with the class. I have a rule in my class when someone shares the audience may comment but the comments must be positive, e.g., She used exciting words. It really sounded like her. etc. Students then were asked to revise their drafts and share again. I had some really great stories. I found this to be a great resource and was easy for my struggling students to write about because they were interested in animals and the silly things they may accomplish. Ducks On A Bike was an awesome book to involve my students in writing. They were enchanted by the story and illustrations when I read it to them. Once we read the book we talked and webbed about other animals and what type of transportation they may use. I encouraged odd transportation but something that wasn’t to far off base from the animals natural habitat. Next, I allowed them to “free” write in their journals. Students were encouraged to share their writing (draft) with the class. I have a rule in my class when someone shares the audience may comment but the comments must be positive, e.g., She used exciting words. It really sounded like her. etc. Students then were asked to revise their drafts and share again. I had some really great stories. I found this to be a great resource and was easy for my struggling students to write about because they were interested in animals and the silly things they may accomplish.

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