Making Writing Their Own
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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SMS – Email: Are they writing?
Yes
No
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As Teachers:
What do we look for in good writing?
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Mechanics: capitalization, spelling, punctuation, legible handwriting
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Language use: correct order, tense agreement, number and function articles, pronouns, prepositions, meaning not obscured by grammatical errors
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Vocabulary: uses correct words - variety - appropriate word for topic
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Organization: sequences ideas, topic sentence, body, conclusion
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Content: main idea - details - knowledge of subject
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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As teachers we teach
Vocabulary + Grammar
 Basics
vocabulary and expansion = numbers, colors,
cognates, classroom, homes, travel, communication,
environment, current events…
 Prepositions
+ articles
 Proper
Noun Substitutions
 Singular - plural
 Prepositional phrases
 Grammar chunks
 Tenses
 Question chunks
 Connectors
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To write we need to teach. . .
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Punctuation / Capitalization
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Subject / verb agreement
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Subject / predicate
Enrich the sentence by
adding verbs, adjectives,
prepositional phrases
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Organization/sequencing
thoughts and ideas
What is a complete sentence
/question.
How to write
 a topic sentence
 supporting sentences
 a concluding sentence
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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Doesn’t matter their age
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Use their background knowledge
Use their background language knowledge
Use pictures they recognize
Use series of pictures that tell a story
Make up different stories with different outcomes from
pictures – elicit ideas from them
Teach them to how to use a dictionary
Read to them
Guide them – one step at a time – don’t assume
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Give them a reason to write
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Ask their opinion, do they agree or disagree - have them explain
why they believe that.
Collaborate on a project
Write a letter: make it relevant to them
Give feedback to others
Write questions for an interview that they can get the answers to
And…..
Whenever they write:
• Set clear expectations and keep it focused
• Model good collaboration
• Emphasize quality over quantity
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How do I begin?
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Teach them how to start!
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Write examples on the board
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Always have the students
answer and write in
complete sentences.
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Give them lots of sequencing
activities.
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Teach them what is a topic
sentence and closing
sentence
Give them lots of
guided-writing
activities
Make a writing rubric:
Give each student a list
of general writing
rules.
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Prepare a poster of
these rules for the class.
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Read to them
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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Have fun with (Guided) writing
Show / demonstrate / write / read
You write, then they copy and read.
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Poetry
Create comic strips
Letters (friendly/formal/thank you note)
Description of something they know
Factual report
A movie or television review
Radio news / weather report
Write and/or present a short dialogue/play/script (short or
extended dialogues)
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What type of writing
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Elementary
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description
friendly letter
invitation
list
note
questionnaire
report
speech bubble
story
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Junior High
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article (e.g. for school newspaper)
blog
friendly letter
extended form
forum
short composition (e.g. opinion,
description.)
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story
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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What type of writing is
in your text books?
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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What can you do online?
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ReadWriteThink
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Padlet
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123Greetings.com
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Sites approved by the
Ministry
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MakeBeliefComix
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List of websites:
Eric Cohen Books
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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When writing expect:
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complete, clear and organized sentences
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correct grammar
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good spelling
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relevant vocabulary
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sequence of ideas
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You can also teach that. . .
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writing is a form of self-expression.
writing is a form of visual art.
writing is a form of developing imagination.
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writing is . . .
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ECB Online - http://www.ecb.co.il/ecbonline/resources/writelit.html
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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Thank you!
Ann Shlapobersky
ann@ecb.co.il
Ann Shlapobersky 2013
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