Writing 1: Writing 1 Class Notes--Week 3 (9/7)

Greetings Students!

Today was a wild adventure–for me at least! Trying to fit in instruction AND time to actually write in a writer’s workshop is a challenge! My hope is that the more we do it, the more efficient we will get. Some had tech challenges with slow internet connection–I appreciate students rolling with the punches as we may have some trial and error as we figure it out as we go.

We started the day with a QuickWrite. The poem “Oranges” by Gary Soto served as our mentor text. We observed how the writer used similes for imagery and short sentences for effect. After they added those Craft Moves to their charts, students tried their hands at writing about a food that brings back memories. As they shared a word, a sentence or a phrase from their writing, I heard some students trying the craft moves we had highlighted together!

Speaking of food, Essay 2 was introduced today. This is a descriptive piece of writing that focuses on a strong memory related to a special food from our childhood. Students were given some time to brainstorm and pre-write. They now have two essays going and should be working on both of them at home.

How we submit writing and conduct writer’s workshops this year is new, so we took some time to discuss these procedures. The slideshow we walked through is posted on Google Classroom along with a video tutorial that takes students step-by-step through the process of pre-writing, conferring, peer review, rough drafting and final drafts.

We spent the remainder of the writing portion of the class working on Essay 1: My Favorite Mistake. Since it was a short workshop today, we didn’t get to any conferences. Students will need to come to my office hours to confer next week→Mondays 12-1 and keep working on their essays!

We didn’t take time to discuss Ender’s Game in literature today. Instead, we will have a more in-depth discussion next week for the Literature Circles. Each student was assigned a role: Discussion Director, Literary Luminary, Connector or Illustrator. As homework, they will fill out the coordinating role sheet and use chapters 1-4 to prepare thoughtful contributions to next week’s discussion. For homework, they will read chapters 3 & 4 and complete 3 Reader Response questions

Last, for the grammar portion, students chose a part of speech and a partner from a clipboard that was circulated at the beginning of class. Next week we will get into groups and work together to prepare for their presentations.

Whew! We covered a lot of ground today. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Blessings,

Mrs. G

Homework

Essay 2 PreWrite

Rough Draft to Final Draft video tutorial

What My Childhood Tasted Like Rough Draft

Keep working on Essay 1–My Favorite Mistake

Literature Circles Role Sheets

Literature Circles Group Assignments

Confer with Mrs. G Monday 12-1 (if you are ready). Peer Review (when you are ready)

Essay 1