"Quick Writes" give way to quick learning!

Well.... my plan was to write this post tomorrow, but since my home team, the Texas Rangers, are 6 runs behind in the 3rd game of the World Series, I've started to lose interest.  However, never one to give up... I've at least got the game on in the background while I write. 

After many weeks of exploring expanders, our fourth graders are now masters at writing detailed sentences!  Okay, mastery is a strong word, but they're doing a great job of taking what they have learned and applying it to their writing!  Now the tough part begins.... excepting nothing less than the use of these expanders in everything they write.  To practice, we have been doing several "quick writes" in class.  A "quick write" is simply a way to get the kids thinking about different topics and choosing a variety of ways in which to respond.  For instance, I put one word on the board, any word, and tell the kids to write for a given length of time, approximately 8-10 minutes.  In this time, students write until they are told to stop, and can choose to write in any mode: descriptive, imaginative, narrative, persuasive, or expository.  When given the chance to choose a mode, their writing becomes much more personalized.  They draw upon prior experiences with that word and can express their thoughts more clearly.  So as not to stifle the creative process, I put little restriction on what is expected from the end result, thus inventive spelling is acceptable here.  I only request the use of expanders in order to create detailed pieces, however short the writing may be.  Yet, the most critical part to a "quick write" is the sharing process.  The kids can't wait to read their writing to the class, and when we allow them to share, we encourage listening!  Listening helps to build word choice and sentence fluency, two of our 6-traits.  After a student shares, as a class, we react to their writing verbally by expressing at least two good points.  When the kids can point out good ideas from each other’s papers, we begin to see them adopting these ideas in their own writing.  Peer Listening = Peer Learning, and can be fostered in any classroom, so let the sharing begin!

Looking Ahead:

On Monday, we will be taking our annual school wide field trip.  This year our principal, Mrs. Alexander, has chosen to take us to Yesterland Farm, a pumpkin patch in Canton, Texas.  The kids will be able to explore the grounds and attractions throughout the day, and as we leave each student will take home their very own mini pumpkin! 

In the coming weeks, we will focus on capitalization of historical events and documents, religions, nationalities, races, and languages, as well as titles of books, stories and essays.  I am almost certain that the state of Texas will embed a question or two over this objective, on the new STAAR writing test, as capitalization is a big part of the editing process.  As the district writing benchmark gets closer, we will begin looking at sample STAAR writing passages, and familiarize ourselves with how to go about finding answers to questions that cover editing and revising, within a composition.  Please don’t confuse the idea of preparation, for “teaching to the test”.  It is my belief that students perform more successfully, when they are in a comfort zone.  Preparing the kids for HOW to take the state assessment is just as important as teaching WHAT will be on the test.  Thus, taking time to understand the format will help to lessen the stress of test taking.

And in case you’re wondering, as I close this blog, my home team has lost to St. Louis, 16-7.  Wow, what a beating. :(  Even so, I’ll root, root, root for my home team… if they don’t win it’s a shame, but I’d LOVE… TO… see my team win in the World Series!!!!!  Go Rangers!

"When is the Expander quiz Mrs. Bailey?" Taylor inquired. "Thursday, 10/20." Mrs. Bailey replied.

This week will find us studying the Why Expander, and diagramming the different parts of speech with manipulatives.  The kids LOVE working with the square 'foamies' and diagramming sentences hands on with the Project Read (Written Expression) series.  I hope to get some pictures of the kids working with these manipulatives posted before my next blog, but don't hold me to it... I'm barely techno savvy enough to post this blog from week to week. Ha! :)

In Spelling we started Unit 7, looking at the Long /o/ and its different spelling patterns: -o, -oa, -ow.  Also, in grammar this week we will be exploring the rules of quotation marks, and how they are used in good writing.  If you visit our classroom this week, you'll be surprised to see us actually quiet.  We will dialogue with each other on paper only.  The kids will 'speak' to each other, without verbally saying anything.  They will be asked to use dialogue tags to help express what they are trying to say and HOW they are trying to say it without speech.  Tricky enough for grownups, I know, but this activity will raise the level of thinking for my students.  I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Looking Ahead:

Next week we will be taking a quiz over the four (4) expanders.  Your student will need to know the names of the four expanders: Where, How, When, and Why.  As well, they will need to have all 'starter words' for each expander memorized. There will be NO word bank available on the quiz, so studying is a must if your child expects to pass.  We will be making a study review to help with memorization next Monday, 10/ 17 please be on the lookout for this review which will be glued into the Writing Composition book on page 32.  Review a little bit each night!!

**We have resumed our nightly journaling, after taking last week off.  Please remind your child to date each entry in their journal.  Grading becomes a nightmare when one entry runs right into the next entry.  As I explained to the kids, if I can't tell where one entry ends and the other begins, points will be taken off for that week, so stay organized!

Words... Words... and more Words!

OMG... as my kids would say, what an objective filled first six weeks we've had!  We took time to understand the writing process, and introduce the 6-traits.  In the second six weeks, we will continue to work more closely with the 6-traits, by looking at each trait individually and completing activities to develop a deeper understanding.  As well, we will forge ahead with our study on Expanders, and write... write... write!

Looking Ahead:

With a short week ahead of us, we will put spelling on hold, and take class time to explore one of the 6-traits, word choice.  This coming week will find us putting to rest, old, tired out words, and replacing them with vivid, colorful, and emotional words that help to paint a picture in the minds of our readers.

The link below will help parents understand word choice, and offers a great writing activity that you can try with your child.  Let me know what you think!

http://wiredinstructor.net/Showme.html

I hope everyone is enjoying their four day week-end, and fair day!  We'll see you bright and early on Wednesday!