Enhancing Classroom Enhancing Classroom WritingWriting

“…but I still encourage anyone who feels at all compelled to write to do so. I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do – the actual act of writing- turns out to be the best part. .. The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.

“I’ve managed to get some work done nearly every day of my adult life, without impressive financial success. Yet I would do it all over again in a hot second, mistakes and doldrums and breakdowns and all. Sometimes I could not tell you exactly why, especially when it feels pointless and pitiful, like Sisyphus with cash-flow problems. Other days, though, my writing is like a person to me- the person who, after all these years, still makes sense to me. ..”

Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird

Adella Semidey & Karen Adella Semidey & Karen ShantzShantz

CIC-ValenciaCIC-ValenciaVANAS - January 22, 2010VANAS - January 22, 2010

SynopsisSynopsis

This workshop will allow you to experience a variety of writing strategies firsthand as you write short pieces of fiction and non-fiction.

IntroductionsIntroductions

Our experience at the TTC course in Miami with Dr. Allen Koshewa.

Writing a NF Writing a NF ReportReport

Highlight some key words. Make web with main ideas and key words of text. Write paragraph based on web without looking at original text.

How People Live In large cities, Mexicans dress similarly to people in the

United States or European cities. They live in modern apartment buildings or houses. Homes in the wealthier areas are large and beautifully decorated. In city slums, though, poor people live in shacks made of cardboard or metal. Homes made of white adobe (sun-dried clay) with red tile roofs can be found throughout Mexico. In some regions, homes are made of wooden poles with thatched roofs.

Heinrichs, Ann. Mexico. Children’s Press; New York, 1997. p. 27

WALT Chart WALT Chart – – (We Are (We Are

Learning To…)Learning To…)Brainstorm with students the characteristics

that need to be present in the specific genre of writing being done.

Make your list in bullet form on chart paper.

Put a subtitle: We’ll Know We Have Done This Successfully When…

Display the chart in your classroom for students to refer to as they write.

Guided ImageryGuided ImageryClose your eyes and go back in time to

your first memory.Where are you? Who is with you?

What emotions are you feeling? What is happening?

Go forward…

Scientific Analysis of Scientific Analysis of FruitFruit

With your group, discuss the part, location, properties, and possible function(s) of the fruit at your table.

TTC 2009: Enhancing Classroom Writing K-8

Part: What is it?

Location: Where is it found?

Properties: What is it like?

Function: What is its purpose?

Saturation Saturation WritingWriting

Sit in a location where you will have the opportunity to observe people passing by.

Sit quietly for 15 minutes, observing everyone who passes by.

Record everything you see and hear in point form.

Go back to your classroom and write a poem or short story about what you observed.

 

Found PoetryFound PoetryKeep a journal of funny/strange

things you hear people say. You might want to try sitting in one place for several minutes to collect dialogue.

Use the various dialogues to write poetry.

Writing Workshop Writing Workshop ChartChart

Date Title of piece

Genre/ Form

Audience What you accomplished

today

What you’ll do

next

WebsitesWebsitesTeaching that Makes Sense www.ttms.org/ Interactive Writing Promptswww.writingfix.com NCTE Beliefs on Teaching Writinghttp://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/writingbeliefs K-6 Introduction to Writer’s Workshophttp://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/writers/index.html Writing Assessment Resourceshttp://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/ela/assessment/assessment03.html

Story StartersStory StartersFortunately… unfortunately…

I used to be… now I am…

If I were a color, I’d be…

Student WorkStudent WorkFortunately I woke up with the sun.Unfortunately it woke my little brother and he started crying.Fortunately my mom came and took him away.Unfortunately she sent me to get dressed and brush my

teeth.Fortunately I found my lost cell phone in my closet.Unfortunately the batteries were almost dead.Fortunately the charger was near.Unfortunately I was shocked when I connected it.Fortunately that woke me up.Unfortunately my mom came and told me to hurry up.Fortunately when I went to brush my teeth there wasn’t any

more of that sour Listerine…

Student WorkStudent WorkFortunately I was free to go to the pool.Unfortunately it started to rain.Fortunately the hotel had some umbrellas.Unfortunately they were broken.Fortunately I ran quickly into the hotel.Unfortunately I tripped and fell into the pool.Fortunately a lifeguard came and carried me into the

hotel.Unfortunately the hotel was not as warm as I expected.Fortunately I had a sweater in the room.Unfortunately I had lost the keys to the room.Fortunately the janitor opened the door for me.Unfortunately the room was a mess…

Student WorkStudent WorkI used to be a lonely personNow I have lots of friends.I used to be like a rock when I sleepNow I am always rocking.I used to be a studentNow I am the principal.I used to be hairyNow I am bald.I used to be afraid of snakesNow I live with them.

Student WorkStudent WorkI used to be afraid of waterNow I am a diver.I used to be waterNow I am ice.I used to be afraid of antsNow I have an anthill.I used to be a little seedNow I am a big tree.I used to be afraid of booksNow I am a librarian.

Student WorkStudent WorkIf I were a color I’d be yellow…Like the bright sun just coming up from the night and

waking up every fellow.Like the yellow apples, so sweet, that make people

happy all day.Like the sunflower’s petals, so thin, and so delicate.Like an Oscar made of pure gold, staring at you

proudly.Like the stars shinning at night, their bright light

blinding us.Like a banana, so yummy, so sweet… when you peel

it, its cuteness goes away.

Student WorkStudent WorkIf I were a color I’d be blue…I would make the sky shine blue and very bright.I would make the sea glitter,And not be so bitter.I would make blueberry smoothies,Blueberry muffins and cookies.I would make awesome jeansAnd make blue Jelly Beans.I would make lakes so great, they wouldn’t be normal,And right in the middle, you would need a dolphin’s

dorsal.I would be the chairs at my school –They’re so cool, you might as well drool.