The writing community
This year you will be members of a classroom writing community. In the community, you will write about things that interest you, share and talk about your writing, and learn about what professional authors do. You will also become stronger writers.
What are some things you have written?
When do you write in school? Outside of school? What are some reasons you write, in or out of school?
Writers constantly read examples of good writing to help them get ideas for their own writing and to give them a sense of the way good writing looks and sounds.
This year you will have many opportunities to hear, read, and discuss good writing.
What are some things you have written?
When do you write in school? Outside of school? What are some reasons you write, in or out of school?
Writers constantly read examples of good writing to help them get ideas for their own writing and to give them a sense of the way good writing looks and sounds.
This year you will have many opportunities to hear, read, and discuss good writing.
What you will need
You will need your 3 ring binder this year. This binder will be divided into 11 sections. 1. Writing Ideas 2. The Writing Process 3. 6 Trait Writing 4. Opinion Writing 5. Step Up to Writing 6. Expository Writing 7. Personal Narrative Writing 8. Poetry 9. Functional Writing 10. Grammar 11. Graphic Organizers You will need a pad of sticky notes for various activities You will need pencils, and sometimes pens for various activities |
Unit 1: Getting Ideas for Writing
Day 1: Sylvester and the Magic PebbleDiscussion Questions1. What happens in this story after Sylvester finds the pebble?
2. If you were going to write a story about an object with magic powers, what object would it be? 3. What magic powers would the object have? AFTER we have talked as a class and written some things down, share some of your ideas with a shoulder partner. |
VocabularyCeased: Stopped completely
Vanished: Disappeared Wart: Bump on the skin Fetlock: Part of a horse's leg Inquiring of: Asking Stone-Dumb: Unable to speak Start writing your ideas in the "Writing Ideas" section of your notebook.
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Turn and Talk Procedure
Day 2: Wizzel
How is this story similar to Sylvester and the Magic Pebble? Turn to your partner and talk.
In this story, the witch turns herself into a glove. If you were going to write a story like Wizzil, what might you turn yourself into, and what might happen? |
VocabularyDetested: Hated
Culprit: Cause of the problem Blushing: Turning pink in the face Gratitude: Thankfulness Incognito: In disguise Writing TimeWe will silently write for about 7 min. You may write about whatever you choose. You may add ideas to your writing ideas section or begin drafting a story at the front of your notebook.
During writing time you are to work in silence, without talking, whispering, or walking around. Make sure you have all your materials and your pencils are sharpened BEFORE we start. |
Writing about Reading
Writing about your reading gives you the opportunity to write opinions about and make connections to texts.
Some discussion questions from the text:
Let's look at pages 24-28 of the book, Wizzil.
1. Why does DeWitt rescue Wizzil? What in the story makes you think so?
2. What feelings might DeWitt be having during this episode? What in the story makes you think so?
3. How does Wizzil respond? What in the story makes you think so?
4. When is a time you felt gratitude to someone, the way Wizzil feels gratitude to DeWitt?
You will write about how the story from Wizzil reminds you of your own life. When you write or talk about how a story reminds you of your own life, you are making a connection to the story. Making connections to stories helps us enjoy and remember them.
I want to write about how DeWitt's generosity reminds me of a time when someone has been generous to me. Here is my example: In Wizzil by William Steig, DeWitt saves Wizzil even though she is a mean witch, and she responds to his kindness by becoming happy and loving.
Notice that I included the name and author of the book in the first sentence. Now I want to compare the book to my own life. I'll write:
I too have been transformed through other people's kindness.
Now I want to give an example. I'll write:
For instance, last week I came home from work feeling tired and grouchy. I growled as my husband when he asked me how my day was. Instead of growling back, my husband offered to make dinner. He set the table and did the dishes too!
I want to include a final sentence that wraps up the piece. I'll write:
My husband's kindness washed away my bad feelings just like DeWitt's kindness helped to wash away Wizzil's witchiness.
NOW YOU TRY
Some discussion questions from the text:
Let's look at pages 24-28 of the book, Wizzil.
1. Why does DeWitt rescue Wizzil? What in the story makes you think so?
2. What feelings might DeWitt be having during this episode? What in the story makes you think so?
3. How does Wizzil respond? What in the story makes you think so?
4. When is a time you felt gratitude to someone, the way Wizzil feels gratitude to DeWitt?
You will write about how the story from Wizzil reminds you of your own life. When you write or talk about how a story reminds you of your own life, you are making a connection to the story. Making connections to stories helps us enjoy and remember them.
I want to write about how DeWitt's generosity reminds me of a time when someone has been generous to me. Here is my example: In Wizzil by William Steig, DeWitt saves Wizzil even though she is a mean witch, and she responds to his kindness by becoming happy and loving.
Notice that I included the name and author of the book in the first sentence. Now I want to compare the book to my own life. I'll write:
I too have been transformed through other people's kindness.
Now I want to give an example. I'll write:
For instance, last week I came home from work feeling tired and grouchy. I growled as my husband when he asked me how my day was. Instead of growling back, my husband offered to make dinner. He set the table and did the dishes too!
I want to include a final sentence that wraps up the piece. I'll write:
My husband's kindness washed away my bad feelings just like DeWitt's kindness helped to wash away Wizzil's witchiness.
NOW YOU TRY
Day 3: Mine Mentor Texts for Topics
Reread a text you love. Think about the things in it that you connect to, because you have had similar experiences or know about similar topics. As you read, keep a list of the topics and ideas that the other author's work has sparked in you.
Many authors will tell you this true fact: the best writers are readers first. There is so much to learn from published authors.
As we read a book, we can try to think about ways in which we connect to the text. |
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Learning about an author
Based on the two stories we have read so far, what kind of person do you think William Steig might be and why? Discuss with your partner.
William SteigWilliam Steig grew up in a creative household, where artistic and musical pursuits were encouraged. As a child he loved to read; Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood, and Pinocchio were his favorite books. Steig began his career as a cartoonist. The year was 1930, and the United states was in the middle of the Great Depression. To help support his family, Steig sold his first cartoon to The New Yorker magazine. Steig foung a job in advertising but, he says, "detested" it. Fortunately, in 1967, fellow New Yorker cartoonist and children's author Robert Kraus suggested that Steig try his hand at writing children's books. Steig jumped at the opportunity because he saw it as a way to leave advertising. His first book for children, CDB!, was soon published and a new career had begun.
Although William Steig's illustrations have been widely praised, it is his way with words that readers seem to enjoy most. He uses all sorts of long, outrageous words, like cantankerous and recumbent, that are not usually found in picture books. He also uses made-up words, such as dramberaberoomed and jibrakken sibibble digray. William Steig respects the intelligence of kids- that's why he doesn't hesitate to insert long words into his stories. William Steig's career in childrens books almost didn't happen. He never intended to become an author and illustrator. He once said, "If I'd had it my way, I'd have been a professional athlete, a sailor, a beachcomber, a painter, a novelest, a banjo player, a traveler..." |
What did you find out about William Steig?
Turn to your partner and discuss. Writing timeYou will write for 10 minutes silently.
IDEAS YOU COULD WRITE:
DON'T FORGET TO SKIP LINES IN YOUR WRITING TODAY. |
Writing prompt:
All of us enjoy having fun. Tell about a time when you did something fun.
This is a scored writing prompt. Please turn it in when you are finished writing.
dAY 4: GETTING IDEAS FROM POETRY
Poetry is another type of writing that can spark writing ideas. As we read some stories aloud, think about whether you might like to try writing poems yourself.
Discussion QuestionsI'm Sorry & I'm Much Too Tired to Play Tonight
Writing Time 10 min.You will write silently for 10 minutes.
DON'T FORGET TO SKIP LINES IN YOUR WRITING TODAY.
If you want to continue your piece at another time, save space in your notebook. You can save them with a sticky note. |
Sharing your writing
Remember: This is a safe space! There will be no put-downs, teasing, or rude comments about anyone's hard work.
Sharing is voluntary~ I will never require you to share with the whole class.
Some questions to ask yourself after sharing:
If you shared your writing with the class today, how did that feel?
What did you do to listen responsibly to others when they shared their writing?
Sharing is voluntary~ I will never require you to share with the whole class.
Some questions to ask yourself after sharing:
If you shared your writing with the class today, how did that feel?
What did you do to listen responsibly to others when they shared their writing?
Day 5: Getting Ideas from poetry
Feeling Stuck?
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Discussion questions
Writing Time 10 min.You will write silently for 10 minutes.
DON'T FORGET TO SKIP LINES IN YOUR WRITING TODAY.
If you want to continue your piece at another time, save space in your notebook. You can save them with a sticky note. |
sharing
What did you like about ____________Piece?
What questions can we ask __________ about what they wrote?
Why is it important that we show interest and appreciation for one another's writing?
What questions can we ask __________ about what they wrote?
Why is it important that we show interest and appreciation for one another's writing?
Week 2 Day 1: Getting Ideas from our own lives
Think, Pair, ShareThink, Pair, Share is like "Turn to your partner." The difference is that you get to think quietly before you talk to your partner.
Think about this question:
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The Bicycle Man by allen say
Last week we heard Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Wizzil, both fantasy stories by William Steig. Today we will read a different kind of story~ one based on the author's own life. This story takes place many years ago in Japan, at a time when it was unusual to see foreigners or non-Japanese people, especially away from the cities.
Writing Time
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VocabularySensei: (Japanese) teacher
Tiered: Stacked Hoisted: Lifted Gyroscope: Tool with a wheel that spins Discussion Questions
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Mapping the heart
You will map your heart in this exercise.
Draw a large heart on a blank piece of paper in your "Writing Ideas" section of your notebook.
What feels closest to your heart? Write a word in the center.
Think for a moment about some of the places that are important. As you think of them, you can jot them down.
Write the names of topics, or sketch pictures to remind you of topics that are close to your heart. You can think of people, places, things, etc.
You can sketch it, or you can write a word to remind you.
See if there are some smaller topics within that topic you can list.
Draw a large heart on a blank piece of paper in your "Writing Ideas" section of your notebook.
What feels closest to your heart? Write a word in the center.
Think for a moment about some of the places that are important. As you think of them, you can jot them down.
Write the names of topics, or sketch pictures to remind you of topics that are close to your heart. You can think of people, places, things, etc.
You can sketch it, or you can write a word to remind you.
See if there are some smaller topics within that topic you can list.
Day 2 Getting ideas from our own lives
Important People
We are going to read a book about the author's grandpa. In this book, Grandpa creates topiaries in shapes of people and places of his memory. Each sculpture sparks a memory about a time or part of his identity.
discussion questions
Writing Time 10 min
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Grandpa Green By Lane Smith |
Tea With Milk by Allen Say
Quick Write 5 min.A "Quick Write" is a 5 minute writing exercise that everyone will do. It gives everyone a chance to practice a particular writing technique.
Open to the next blank page in the "Draft" section of your notebook. Pick one question from the list below and write quickly about it for 5 minutes. If you run out of things to say before the time is up, choose another question and keep writing. Questions:
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VocabularyCalligraphy: Beautiful handwriting
Matchmaker: Person who finds husbands or wives for single people. Fuming: Angry Crumpets: Small, toasted cakes Discussion Questions
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Day 3: Learn about an author: Allen Say
Yesterday we read books written by Allen Say which were based on events in his life.
Exerpt from Biography
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1937. His father, a Korean orphan raised by a British family in Shanghai, and his mother, a Japanese American born in Oakland, California, divorced when he was eight. As a youngster, Say apprenticed himself to the Noro Shinpei, a cartoonist he greatly admired. This period marked the beginning of his serious training in the arts and was to prove pivotal in Say's life. When Say turned sixteen, his father decided to move to America. He had by that time acquired a new family, but asked Say if he would like to emigrate as part of that family. Say left Tokyo, with no knowledge of English but with a sense of adventure traveled to California. As an adult, he pursued the idea of commercial photography as a career. Say's work brought him in contact with art directors and designers, who were often impressed with his ability to sketch out ideas before committing them to film. In 1988, Allen Say quit photography completely and dedicated himself to writing and illustrating books for children. Tree of Cranes, Grandfather's Journey, Tea With Milk. and The Sign Painter are the most autobiographical of his works. Excerpt from Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech " I returned to Japan in 1982, to attend a grammar school reunion. The Bicycle Man had just been published, and, carrying a stack of brand new books, I went back to the place where the story took place thirty-six years earlier. Mrs. Morita, my first-grade teacher, came to meet me at the train station. It was like one of those teary Japanese movies." " Nineteen classmates came to the party, and we had to point to one another out in the old school photographs someone had the sense to bring. I handed out copies of The Bicycle Man, and the banquet suddenly died. No one remembered the incident." "That wonderful black American soldier, he rode the principal's bicycle, don't you remember?I pleaded. They looked at me with embarrassment and incomprehension, even pity. Then they laughed and called me Urashima Taro. the fishermen of the ancient folktale who returns home after being away for four hundred years." "On the following day, some of my classmates took the day off and accompanied me to the street where I used to live. All the houses were still standing except mine. It had been demolished only a month before my return." "My homecoming wasn't turning out the way I had expected." |
VocabularyApprenticed himself: Started working for another person in order to learn a trade.
Emigrate: leave one country and settle in another. Autobiographical: about his own life. |
Memories
During your writing today I will be calling students up to my table to conference. Be prepared to bring your notebook and talk about your writing.
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Writing Time 10 min.You will silently write for 10 minutes.
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Moments with Strong Feelings
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Discussion Questions
In your notebook under "Writing Ideas" turn to a blank page. Write at the top Emotions. Make a grid similar to the picture.
Writing Time 10 min
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Day 4 Exploring a Pre-writing Technique
Writers often get new ideas from writing from pieces they have written earlier.
You can use this technique whenever you feel stuck or when you don't know what to write about. In your Writing ideas section please write:
REread and Look for Patterns
writing time 15 min. You will write silently for 15 minutes.
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Quick Write 5 Min
Sharing time
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day 5 exploring Point of View
When we write about ourselves we use words like "I" and "Me" as Allen Say does in The Bicycle Man. We are using the First Person Point of View.
When we write about other people in our lives, we sue words like "She" and "He" as the author dies in Tea with Milk. We are using the Third Person Point of View. Writing Time 15 Min.Write silently for 15 minutes.
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week 3 Overview
We have been reading and discussing various texts to help you get ideas for our own writing. Today we are going to read a story entitled Desert Voices.
VocabularyGullies: large cracks worn into the earth by water.
Cast: throw Discussion
Quick Write 10 Min
Sharing
Discussion Prompts
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In Desert Voices the author tells the story of the desert from the animals' points of view, using I as if the animals had a voice and were talking to the reader.
When an author uses I to tell a story, the author is writing from the first-person point of view. |
Day 2 Getting ideas from nonfiction
Yesterday we heard Desert Voices, in which the authors us I to write from an animal's point of view. Remember our "I Could Be" chart that lists animals you might write about using I.
Today we will hear how an author deals with the topic of animals in a very different way. NonfictionMany nonfiction books have chapter titles, photographs and a table of contents. Today we will read a selection of pages from the book, Everything Reptile.
Everything Reptile is part of a series of nonfiction question and answer books. VocabularySpecies: Type (of reptile)
Discussion
writing TimeYou will silently write for 20 minutes.
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Quick Write 5 minConsider the following question individually for a moment:
After you are finished, partners will share their ideas with each other. |
Day 3 Getting ideas from nonfiction and pair conferencing
day 4: Getting ideas from nonfiction and pair conferring
Remember- there are many kinds of writing besides books.
Flyers, brochures, instructions, advertisements, and newspapers are all examples of the kinds of writing you will write about this year. writing TimeYou will write silently for 20 minutes.
Get out our notebooks Write advertisements, flyers, signs, recipes, brochures, or other kinds of non-book writing. Work on a piece you started earlier. I will conference with some students. |
Discusison
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