Posts tagged #informational writing

Props with a Purpose

I use what I call Props with a Purpose when I want to engage my students in the lesson. I use many ‘ hands-on’ props to elicit discussion, frames to help kids focus on details and question cards to help them dig deeper. It is amazing to see my students use these props for collaborative group discussions. We use ‘ My Turn Cards ‘ each participant can have a turn to speak and share. Once the kids are trained to use props like these, the lesson becomes more interactive and exciting; of course even more challenging. You need to try it. It’s time to see it and share it!!!  There are bookmarks for reading, writing, comprehension, and discussion starters. I also include bookmarks for factual, informational and comparison paragraph writing as well.   Check Props with a Purpose in my store for more ideas. You will like it for sure! All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged retell notebooks recounting stories retell worksheets reading retelling stories reading literacy retelling writing process creating creative primary grades critical thinking creative writing curriculum conversations classroom strategies collaboration common core writing common core character development collaborative groups discussion discussion cards details detailed writing descriptive writing descriptions guided reading Common Core comprehension writing strategies writing writing creative writing writing activities Writing activities pre-writing visual writing narrative writing illustrations informative writing visualizing highlighting questions visual arts visual learning visual representation sequence of events factual writing bookmarks big ideas burning questions elaborated sentences elaboration elaborative writing vocabulary sentence elaboration main characters informational writing comparison writing Special Education speaking discussion starters cards interactive props partners Visual reading special educaion writing and speaking ELL ELA ellaboration elementary expressing English Language Arts text.

Writing Posters

I always start the year with sentence starters, phrases and vocabulary for kids to be inspired. I want my students to be able to refer to various writing posters to prompt their choice of vocabulary when writing all genres. Therefore, I arranged my writing posters to be cut and glued to colored paper so you can hang and refer your students to the “color” and poster title easier.

I keep the color-coded Transitional, Sentence Starter, Sound Shots, Words for “Said”, and Extended Ending posters up all year long and the kids love it.

 I will add other posters as needed or refer my experienced writers to the Narrative and Descriptive Bookmarks for a smaller/ hands-on copy. You need to try it. I promise you it will work.

                                   All can be found at www.visualccl.com   ( Writing Posters

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged descriptive writing detailed writing descriptions display transitional phrases sentence starters sentence elaboration sequential order sequence of events scenery science stem stories speaking see senses Sound shote sound shots words for said vocabulary visualizing visual learning visuals Visual learning Visual reading visual arts visual literacy visual representation verbs visual writing Visual literacy activities adjectives asking questions reading literacy writing writing sentences writing process writing activities Writing activities writing strategies writing creative writing word lists pre-writing story writing bookmarks posters photographs interactive illustrations informative writing informational writing silhouettes discussion listing questions highlighting questions visual reading discussion starters topical writing teaching strategies primary grades poetry expository writing supportive thoughts narrative writing factual writing creative writing creative writing for CCSS paragraph writing comparison writing common core writing rading elaborative writing special educaion writing and speaking command of conventions for spelling and writing colorful posters master artists writing prompts complete sentences second grade authors purpose elaborated sentences themes transitional lesson plans learning lessons landscapes lesson activities learning styles Language arts lesson plan projects ELL ELA climax places plot elementary elaboration classroom strategies.

Factual Paragraph Writing

I absolutely am amazed at the results of my student’s factual writing. I introduce my students to this writing in the beginning of the year for our first nonfiction story. We discuss topic sentences and locating important facts within the text. Then we talk about supportive sentences using the facts and transitional phrases. We practice writing factual paragraphs together and conclude the paragraph with a restating of the topic sentence. You will notice the sample I have here. Thatcher is 8 years old. His writing is fabulous.

This is an example of a published piece; visual writing!!

See  www.visualccl.com for many other units to implement in your classroom. Just visit my store!  Try Factual Paragraph Writing Unit. This is where you will find these ideas. Enjoy!!!

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged factual writing factual paragraph writing art collage non fiction writing reading visual reading visual writing taking notes note taking factual paragraph comparison writing informational writing informative writing topic sentences facts supportive sentences visualizing conclusion restating paragraph writing.