Posts tagged #sentence starters

Opinion Writing

I have introduced opinion writing to my students already and they love it. Every time they respond to a question in our Fairy Tale unit, they begin with the words... In my opinion.... (as their topic sentence). They have to give evidence to support their opinion, so they begin the next statement with ... One reason is.... Another reason is..... And lastly, the concluding statement is.... These are the reasons why.... I sue a template for them to work with that sets the framework to their writing. Next we edit the work and some may share aloud as a "commercial break". We usually bring our writing to a final copy and add it to a visual to enhance our lesson. The other day I had the kids color a picture of Cinderella and then I cut the picture into zig-zag pieces. I repositioned the pieces onto light colored paper and the children wrote their final copy between the lines for their Opinion Writing. A few read their work aloud and of course we all held them up for our gallery watch. They are hanging in the classroom now. What an amazing way to bring the Common Core ELA to life. Check out www.visualccl.com for more activities like this one. I have several fairy tale booklets and other ideas for you to consider if you are interested. Enjoy!

Take a puzzling look at a new way with opinion writing! January 2014    Grade 2

Take a puzzling look at a new way with opinion writing! January 2014    Grade 2

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Kim Waltmire and tagged opinion writing fairy tale unit ELA elaborative writing sentence starters settings sentence structure supportive sentences visualizing protagonists antagonists story elements common core writing.

Collaborative Discussion Cards

I used collaborative discussion cards all year long and you will too! The conversations are incredible and have a purpose and your students will undoubtedly increase their understanding of the text. See Props with a Purpose in my store for more… All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged collaboration Visual reading common core writing recounting stories retelling stories primary grades props with a purpose conversations discussion cards common core reading literacy reading writing process Writing activities critical thinking text sentence starters discussion starters.

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.