Gingerbread House Descriptive Writing

With winter break is looming, the students' attention span is low but their energy level is high.  It's always a hard time to stay focused and not get distracted by the newly fallen snow and the holidays.   

The other night, I was watching a YouTube video with my daughter.  We were both intrigued by the person's drawing ability, and I really wanted to try it.  I didn't exactly know how I would find the time until it hit me on Friday morning after losing my PREP time to a meeting:  Take a vote on one of the drawing videos, and then write a descriptive paragraph about it.

I knew the idea would be a bit "risky" in my room; the students would love the drawing part, which had to happen first, but would they would through with the writing piece that followed?  I lifted up a few prayers, and they must have been answered because the activity was a HUGE success!

First, we took a vote: draw a Christmas tree or a gingerbread house.  The vote was nearly unanimous in favor of the gingerbread house.  (I silently cheered since the gingerbread video was the shorter one by far.)  I gave each student a piece of paper and a marker. (Many of the students in my room are perfectionists, so it was important that they did not get to use a pencil because the time spent correcting their pictures would have been insane!)  You can watch the video here:

I was so impressed with their drawings.  Even the students who have fine motor difficulty persevered!  Next, gave the students a set amount of time to add color to their pictures.  Then, it was time to hand out the graphic organizers.  

The students were given a list of four items we would be looking for in their brought draft.  We asked the students to brainstorm, and work through it the best they could.  (Writing is so, so challenging for the students, so we were very impressed when they gave it their all!)  After having a one-on-one conference with each student, we gave them a sheet for their final draft.

Finally, we shared them with the other students and hung them outside of our room.  I was so proud of the students for their perseverance with the activity. 

We'd love for you to share your holiday activities to keep students engaged before break!

Book Of The Week: If I Were President

If I Were President by Catherine Steir

With the upcoming election, I've spent the last week heavily focusing on the election process.  We've implemented it in our language arts class with an emphasis on vocabulary, comparing/contrasting, and writing as well as in our math class.  On Tuesday, the students will get to participate in a school-wide voting process complete with ballots and booths.  I'm so excited for them to have this experience!  

This week's book of the week is a bit different.  There is a two-part FREEBIE in our TPT store for you!  The first part is a vocabulary activity that targets 12 vocabulary words in the form of the game "I have-who has..."

The second part is a writing activity with the prompt, "If I Were President..."  (I'm sure you wouldn't have guessed that!)  Included is a graphic organizer and paper for a final copy.

Some of the students needed a bit more scaffolding, so I provided a simple introductory sentence for them.  They really enjoyed this activity, and I equally enjoyed reading their ideas!  As long as they were able to give a (somewhat) reasonable reason, I went with it!

If you don't own the book, you can watch the video here!

Last Minute Mother's Day Activities

We just finished state testing this week, so I was focusing more on end of the year IEPs, ESY, transportation forms for next, blah, blah blah.  You get it, right?  I had a mini panic attack during lunch today when I realized I forgot about Mother's Day this Sunday.  I know that the students in my room would struggle with ideas, resources, and execution of any type of project if they even realized it was Mother's Day this weekend.  I quickly set out to find an activity that focused on character description, describing, writing short sentences given a prompt, and poetry.
Here's what I found:
Headline News from Martha Stewart

This template is absolutely adorable!  When printed, the writing in the top and bottom margins are not present.  My students did this activity today, and they turned out terrific!

Kid-Made Mother's Day book from hello, Wonderful

This free printable allows you to mix and match a variety of frames and prompts. Check out the link (above) to see the priceless finished product.

Mother's Day Writing Prompt from Lita Lita

This simple writing activity says, "I love you, mom" in both English and Spanish.  The rest of the activity is up to your own creativity or you can follow the example that is provided.

Mother's Day Poetry Activities from Jessica Lawler 

This free download that incorporates poetry into the writing, including an acrostic poem, a simile poem, and a mother's day memory.

Mother's Day Coupons from Literacy Teacher

The coupons are open-ended for students to write whatever they feel.  

If you're scrambling like me at this time of year, I hope this post is helpful.  If not, use the ideas for next year!  

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out there!

My Dad is still Teaching me New Things

A year ago today my father passed away and although it could have been a very sad day I have amazing coworkers who made me laugh throughout the day. Tonight I have a little more time to think and thoughts of my wonderful father have made me a little heartsick. I do promise not to keep the melancholy going, but would like to share some wisdom he had tucked away in a notebook I found this summer. The second week in June, I spent time clearing out a garage stall full of memories from his 40-year teaching career. In the piles of student writing samples and holiday decorations were notes about the writing process in a modern world and how it had changed over his career. In his wisdom my father pondered, “We live in a world in hyper-mode, sped-up and with everyone needing instant feedback. How can we teach kids today that the steps in the writing process are needed and that the first draft you have is not always your best?” My father’s solution was simple. He had jotted down a set of simple steps that anyone could follow along with the thought, “Great writers learn with guidance and feedback from other writers.” Afterall, you cannot teach the writing process for 40 years without some brilliancy right? 

Here also are the steps he described:

1. Draft ideas-Brainstorming, original or with feedback first list your ideas thinking about your audience and what you want to tell.
2. Just Write: With your ideas in mind write down a list or a few paragraphs  about what you want your writing to be (don’t pay attention to style, spelling or punctuation.)
3. Organize: Delete what you do not want and revise what you do want.
4. Draft: Write your first draft.
5. Feedback: Read to others to get feedback.
6. Rewrite
7. Feedback: Again from readers or other writers and again rewrite. (Repeat as often as needed).
8.  Hand-in and Reflect: What went well and how will you improve next time?

Perhaps I will follow these steps when next I blog?