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...]
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...]
Opinion Writing ~ Prompt Statements
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...]
Opinion Writing ~ Genre Introduction
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...]
Writing 101 Series: Writing Out Loud
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...]
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...]
