Enhancing Classroom
Writing
“…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 Shantz
CIC-Valencia
VANAS - January 22, 2010
Synopsis
This workshop will allow you to
experience a variety of writing
strategies firsthand as you write short
pieces of fiction and non-fiction.
Introductions
Our experience at the TTC course in
Miami with Dr. Allen Koshewa.
Writing a NF Report
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 – (We Are 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 Imagery
Close 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 Fruit
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 Writing
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 Poetry
Keep 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 Chart
Date
Title of
piece
Genre/
Form
Audience
What you
accomplished
today
What
you’ll do
next
Websites
Teaching that Makes Sense
www.ttms.org/
Interactive Writing Prompts
www.writingfix.com
NCTE Beliefs on Teaching Writing
http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/writingbeliefs
K-6 Introduction to Writer’s Workshop
http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/writers/index.html
Writing Assessment Resources
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/ela/assessment/assessment03.html
Story Starters
Fortunately… unfortunately…
I used to be… now I am…
If I were a color, I’d be…
Student Work
Fortunately 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 Work
Fortunately 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 Work
I used to be a lonely person
Now I have lots of friends.
I used to be like a rock when I sleep
Now I am always rocking.
I used to be a student
Now I am the principal.
I used to be hairy
Now I am bald.
I used to be afraid of snakes
Now I live with them.
Student Work
I used to be afraid of water
Now I am a diver.
I used to be water
Now I am ice.
I used to be afraid of ants
Now I have an anthill.
I used to be a little seed
Now I am a big tree.
I used to be afraid of books
Now I am a librarian.
Student Work
If 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 Work
If 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 jeans
And 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.