Apple Descriptive Writing

The students brainstormed ways to describe an apple on a Circle Map. They then used those ideas to build a Tree Map. The Tree Map was used to write sentences to describe the apple. We use Thinking Maps to help the students organize their thoughts in logical and detailed sentences.

Sunflowers: Writing to Inform

Using PebbleGo, we learned about a specific type of flower: the sunflower. The students then used what they learned to answer various questions on a Tree Map. Using the Tree Map, they wrote a shared writing to tell what they learned about the flower. Shared writing, or interactive writing, is when the students take turns writing and give each other verbal help as they write. After writing, we had a mini art lesson on how to draw a simple sunflower.

Planting Potatoes and Onions

The students recently visited the school garden to plant potatoes and onions. The students took turns digging the holes, planting the potato pieces or onion bulbs, and then covering them. They have been watering them every two weeks. Upon our return to class, they wrote a How To paper on the steps to take in planting potatoes. The How To writing is a part of our writing program, Write From the Beginning.

How to Go Camping

The students brainstormed steps that must be taken in order to go camping and recorded their thoughts on a class Circle Map. The students then individually put the steps in order on a Flow Map with transition words. They used the Flow Maps to help them write sentences to tell how to go camping.

 

How to Make S'Mores

This week in reading we are learning how to follow multi-step directions and in writing we are writing to tell how. Since our weekly theme is camping, we learned how to make s'mores. The students were shown how to make the s'mores step by step. As they worked, they had to verbally explain how to make them. They are currently working on the writing portion of this lesson. Then, of course, they ate their delcious treat!

Writing to Explain Why: Astronauts

The students have been learning to write to explain why recently. Since we have been studying space, they wrote about whether they would like to be an astronaut or not. They then created an astronaut out of a template a former teammate drew.

 

Snowflake Desciptive Writing

The students used a Tree Map with questions on it to help them describe what a snowflake looks like, feels like, and what you can do with it. They used the Tree Map to help them write at least three descriptive sentences about a snowflake.

The Snowman

The students read and watched the video of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. They then created their own snowman art. The students were very creative and they turned out so great! Using our writing program, Write From the Beginning, the students used a Circle Map and Tree Map to help them write sentences to describe their snowman (or woman)!

Christmas Tree Descriptive Writing

The students created a Christmas tree out of three triangles. They then added dot stickers of various colors to their tree as ornaments. The students then wrote to describe their tree using a Circle Map and Tree Map. The students' goal was to include adjectives to describe the shape of the tree as well as the color and number of ornaments on their tree.

Stocking Descriptive Writing

As a fun homework project, the students decorated their own Christmas stocking. Then in class they wrote sentences to describe their stocking. They first brainstormed what it looks like, what it has, and what it can do on a Circle Map. They then transfered those ideas to a Tree Map which they used to write their sentences. They wrote their final draft of stocking paper which was hung on the fireplace with their stocking art.

Fall Leaf Writing

In writing the students have been learning to use describing words. Last week the students wrote about fall leaves. Each week I model a writing lesson for the students and then they write their first draft, using Thinking Maps, individually. This is a part of our writing program, Write From the Beginning. On Thursdays, we have one-on-one guided writing sessions where the students work with me to answer questions about how to improve their writing. They then revise and rewrite their writing for a final draft. This week we hung up their work with their fall leaf they created using Tagxedo.

Turkey Writing

As we continued to work on writing to describe objects, the students wrote to describe a turkey. They wrote what a turkey has, looks like, and what it can do.

Scarecrow Writing

As a part of our writing program, Write From the Beginning, the students are learning to write about objects using descriptive language. They recently wrote to describe a scarecrow by first brainstorming on a Circle Map, followed by creating a Tree Map, and then followed by writing sentences. While I worked with students one-on-one on the editing and revising portion of the writing process, the students made their own scarecrow.

Apple Writing

Using our writing program, Write From the Beginning, the students wrote to describe apples. They brainstormed descriptive words on a Circle Map, transferred them to a Tree Map, and then used the Tree Map to write sentences.

Bat Writing

Using our writing program, Write From the Beginning, the students wrote to describe a bat. They brainstormed their ideas on a Circle Map and then transferred those ideas to a Tree Map in logical order. The Tree Map was then used to write sentences. After editing and writing a final draft, we had a lesson on how to draw a bat. The students had to listen and follow multi-step directions in order to complete the drawing and I think they did a fantastic job.

Pumpkin Writing

Using our writing program, Write From the Beginning, the students wrote to describe pumpkins. They first created a Circle Map followed by a Tree Map to describe what a pumpkin has, looks like, and what it can do. Each Thursday we have Guided Writing instead of Guided Reading. The students work on their writing Monday through Wednesday and on Thursday they bring it to me for editing. I work with the students to edit their work by asking them questions such as "What goes at the beginning of a sentence?" or "What goes at the end of a complete sentence?" We also discuss strategies of sounding out words to spell unknown words. After we edit together, the students rewrite their sentences for a final draft. The students wrote their final draft this time on pumpkin paper and colored it.