The Reflective Educator

Sally Camden - The wise teacher makes learning a joy.

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By Sally Camden

Opinion Writing ~ Model Essay Chart

opinion writing

Let's wrap up this week's series of posts with a word about how I made my opinion writing model essay anchor chart. I'm so glad I figured out how to easily enlarge my signs into full-size posters! It's super easy to do, but does take a little bit of time and patience. The results are worth it, though. Some paper, your printer, scissors, pencil, ruler, and good ol' Elmer's School Glue and you're all set to make your own anchor charts, too. Printer Settings First, I wrote my opinion writing … [Read more...]

By Sally Camden

Opinion Writing ~ Analysis Chart

Still on Day 1 of a week-long set of posts focusing on opinion writing...yesterday I shared how I give students time to discuss the prompt statement. Once the discussion is complete, it's time to shift our focus to the Analysis Chart. Opinion Writing Analysis Chart I copy the Analysis Chart on the backside of the prompt paper. Doing so saves paper and makes for one less piece of paper for kids to keep track of during the week. The Analysis Chart is where I have students think through both … [Read more...]

By Sally Camden

Opinion Writing ~ Prompt Statements

opinion writing

Now that students have a general understanding of the traits in an opinion essay, I get them started with a prompt statement. These prompt statements go beyond having students tell what they like about an animal, sport, or food. A prompt statement offers an opinion and requires students to express their own opinion either in favor or against it. These mirror the assessments students will see in my school so I like to keep our practice prompts of a similar style. Opinion Writing Prompt … [Read more...]

By Sally Camden

Opinion Writing ~ Genre Introduction

opinion writing

My 4th grade students have just finished up a 6-week study of opinion writing, and we really learned a lot about the genre. Despite several stop-and-go weeks (thanks to the weather), we managed to complete six quality essays during our unit of study. If your day is anything like mine, then you consider yourself lucky to find 30 minutes devoted to writing. That's the case for me this year, and I am loving every minute of our writer's workshop. However, 30 minutes can fly by if you don't make … [Read more...]

By Sally Camden

Writing 101 Series: Writing Out Loud

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The Writing 101 series began last week when I shared my thoughts on having students speak in complete sentences as a part of the "writing" process. Today's post focuses on Writing Out Loud - a technique that builds on last week's idea and applies it directly to our Writer's Workshop.  Once again, I've cobbled together ideas from a variety of sources and given them my own special twist. Writing Out Loud is such a fundamental part of how I teach my elementary students to write that I wonder why I … [Read more...]

By Sally Camden

Writing 101 Series: Speak in Complete Sentences

Writing with my elementary students is one of the things I enjoy most about being a teacher. Over the years I've selected different strategies and tools from several sources with varying degrees of success. The techniques I share over the next few months are what I use now...but check back in with me a few months from now and you'll probably see lots of variations. So, read these posts and think about how best you can use them in your class, your way, to meet your students' needs. One size does … [Read more...]

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Welcome! I am Sally Camden, a 4th grade teacher in the great state of Missouri. I love teaching, my dog, and shopping. I'm also a die-hard fan of the St. Louis Blues and an avid reader. Thank you for joining me on my blog - read my posts and grab some freebies! Read More…

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social studies lesson plans

Social Studies Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

Answering Literal Comprehension Questions for Upper Elementary

You can easily write detailed lesson plans using an online lesson planner! Learn how I use Planbook.com as my online lesson planner - there's even an app! Have snow days messed up your lesson plans? Make fast and easy edits with the Planbook app. Excellent for all grades. Homeschool #TheReflectiveEducator #lessonplanmaker #lessonplan #lessonplanner

How I Use an Online Lesson Planner to Easily Write Detailed Lessons

It’s only the beginning of February, but the winter weather has caused several snow days in my district. This used to mean lots of time devoted to erasing and re-writing my lesson plans by hand. Not anymore! Now that I am using an online lesson planner, writing (and revising) lesson plans has never been so […]

Reading workshop

Quick and Easy Reading Workshop Mini-Lessons for Busy Teachers

Can anyone explain why reading workshop mini-lessons, which last only 10 minutes, take an hour to plan? What’s up with that?! Am I the only one that wishes a mini-lesson had a minimum amount of prep time? I didn’t think so. Read on, teacher friends, about how you can quickly plan your reading workshop mini-lessons […]

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