Current Writing Project: Expository Writing with Newspapers
Link to join NEWSELA
Our current writing project is a student-created newspaper. Students learned about the structure and formula for an expository newspaper article, as well as how to conduct an interview. They are working individually or with a partner to research and write an article.
Our current writing project is a student-created newspaper. Students learned about the structure and formula for an expository newspaper article, as well as how to conduct an interview. They are working individually or with a partner to research and write an article.
Writing Project: Personal Narrative
For this project, students are choosing one event from their life that taught them something and writing an engaging, descriptive narrative.
Personal Narrative Rubric
Planning Documents
Personal Narrative Rubric
Planning Documents
Writing Project: Letter to the Editor
It's our first persuasive writing assignment! Students will choose a current event and write a letter to the editor in response to it. Some of the topics students have chosen already include stopping the use of palm oil, reducing auto emissions, and preventing plastic from getting into the ocean.
September Writing Project: Nature Journals
Writer's Notebooks
Students work in their Writer's Notebooks 2 or 3 times a week. On these days, we begin class with 5 - 10 minutes of 'Write Time', where students can write about anything they choose in their notebooks. I will provide a prompt for the first month or two of school in case students don't come to class with an idea, but we will be practicing how to be 'idea collectors', saving small moments or questions or ideas that they might want to write about in their notebooks.
These 'Write Times' are both a great way for students to practice putting pen or pencil to paper and getting out ideas, even if they are rough. They are also great ways to generate ideas for more formal writing assignments later in the year.
There is also a space in these notebooks for 'Mini-Lessons', where I will model a particular writing skill, students will practice it, and then apply it to their own writing.
These 'Write Times' are both a great way for students to practice putting pen or pencil to paper and getting out ideas, even if they are rough. They are also great ways to generate ideas for more formal writing assignments later in the year.
There is also a space in these notebooks for 'Mini-Lessons', where I will model a particular writing skill, students will practice it, and then apply it to their own writing.
Published Pieces
This is a working list of writing pieces students will be publishing throughout the year. For these pieces, students will practice drafting, incorporating feedback, and editing before publishing a final version.
First quarter:
First quarter:
- Nature journal
- This journal will incorporate sensory and figurative language, and will be based on informal journals students keep on their project time field trips.
- Persuasive Letter to the Editor
- After reading Hoot, students will work in small groups to choose an environmental issue impacting Michigan, research actions we can take, and write a persuasive Letter to the Editor urging citizens to action.
Want to practice typing at home?
We use computers a lot, so good typing skills will come in really handy and your hard work practicing will definitely pay off. I highly recommend spending some time on these websites practicing typing with ALL your fingers. And it's extra helpful if you practice with good posture!
Big Brown Bear Typing Lessons
Typing.com
Big Brown Bear Typing Lessons
Typing.com
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