Posts tagged #interactive

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.

Bring Visual Writing and the Common Core to Life

                                            A Note to you…

          Bring Visual Writing and the Common Core to Life!

The easiest way to tap into visual writing as it unfolds, whether non-fiction or fiction, is giving students multiple opportunities to express themselves verbally, creatively, and critically all year-long. I do this through enriching vocabulary activities, field trips, photographs, and constant use of pictures, sculptures, cards, posters, illustrations and really good graphic organizers

 

Kids need to see real life events fitting into the framework of a complete story. The key word is “see”.  We know stories revolve around some problems and have various parts. Stories begin by telling what is about to happen. They usually have a struggle. Then the story comes to a climax, followed by the resolution. But none of this matters if they can’t visualize their writing… So let’s help them do it!

 

While a story told has a beginning, middle, and end, every scene relates directly to a character(s), their motivation, theme, and plot. A still picture, sculpture, landscape, etc  is the beginning of an unfolding story, capturing only a small amount of story detail, motivation, theme, and plot.

One approach to writing is creating a visually powerful scene… Teach your students to ask questions, explain, and describe. Allow them to use illustrations and master artist posters, sculptures, photographs, and paintings to do the job …                                       

 

                                                     You can do it!!!!!!!

                                 All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged visual arts visualizing visual representation verbs visual learning Visual reading visual literacy visual writing vocabulary Visual literacy Visual learning visual reading creative conversations Visual Display boards adjectives activities creative writing narrative writing supportive thoughts descriptive writing elaborative writing informative writing interactive lesson activities collaborative groups character development writing activities Writing activities sequence of events writing creative writing graphic organizers pictures sculptures cards visuals story writing second grade reading retelling reading literacy riddles retelling stories retell worksheets recounting stories retell notebooks art grammar writing pre-writing creating critical thinking Mrs. Waltmire presentation props props with a purpose process writing strategies writing sentences primary grades writing process paragraph writing burning questions learning small moments silhouettes students stem speaking science School Special Education story elements story order start teaching scenery student learning sequential order sentence starters sentence elaboration science and literacy special educaion writing and speaking asking questions plot poetry places partners photographs topical writing expository writing expressing display comparison writing complete sentences comprehension descriptions lesson plans lesson plan projects animalspeople authors purpose real life events stories ELL ELA elaboration elementary English Language Arts elaborated sentences text teaching detailed writing lessons learning styles still pictures scene artists master artists questions listing questions highlighting questions paintings posters landscapes Language arts ellaboration illustrations classroom strategies collaboration animals factual writing Kim Waltmire classroom language arts beginning middle end genres story details themes climax story plots see senses common core bookmarks graphics multiple intelligencies curriculum Common Core.

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.

Fairytale, Folktale and Fable Display Boards

I create display boards for everything, including Fairytales/Folktales and Fables. This is an interactive way of involving our students; allowing them to have student-choice. My students were inspired to work independently and with partners. The board is easy to fold and store too! Enjoy! See  www.visualccl.com for many other units to implement in your classroom. Just visit my store!

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged fairytale folklore fable display boards interactive students activities display.