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.

Look Book Word Families

I begin the year with what I call: My Look Book! It reinforces the Common Core: 2.L.2 Conventions of Standard English …Demonstrate the command of conventions of Standard English when writing and D. Generalizing learned spelling patterns when writing words 

The directions will reinforce word families, spelling, ABC order, and writing sentences.

  1. Children can practice reading and spelling the word family words (partners/individuals)
  2. Highlight the list being copied onto the word family page/ write word family at top.
  3. Once words are copied onto activity page, refer to those words to complete the rest of the activity without turning back to the word lists.
  4. When the activity is complete, the children can highlight the next list and complete the matching page. (use at literacy center, individually, or in pairs)

*** Extension- Have children create flash cards, using the word lists. These cards can be used for ABC order and practice for spelling and reading. Try writing definitions as well and mix and match for fun. All can be found at www.visualccl.com

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged definitions vocabulary visual writing visual reading matching vocabulary word families writing sentences sentence elaboration visual literacy word cards acb order spelling writing spelling patterns spelling conventions ELL elaboration ELA elementary elaborative writing English Language Arts standard English command of conventions for spelling and writing curriculum critical thinking creative creative writing common core ellaboration expressing elaborated sentences rhyming poetry creative writing for CCSS grammar graphic organizers mix and match vocabulary flash cards word lists flash cards with words phonics phonemic awareness.

Fiction Independent Reading Activities

Fictional Independent Reading Activities

I store multiple copies of these activities/graphic organizers in reading binders during Guided Reading. I will teach the children how to use them and I differentiate the activities based on academic levels throughout the year as well. While I am meeting with small groups, my students are assigned to reading levels and respond independently or with partners, depending on my expectations. They complete activities to represent the stories they have read. If you plan ahead, place the activities/graphic organizers in a particular order of Common Core standards being introduced in your English and Language Arts Units (ELA). Sometimes I may have small guided reading groups work with me using their binder as well. Other ways to use this packet is for morning work or homework. My students are engaged and everything is organized in their binders at their differentiated level.

I also created Easy Fictional Independent Reading Activities and both of these booklets can be found at www.visualccl.com.   Enjoy!!!

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Kim Waltmire and tagged differentiation fiction homework reading retell notebooks recounting stories retelling stories retelling reading literacy real life events retell worksheets creating writing creative writing pre-writing creative writing creative writing for CCSS expressing guided reading visualizing visuals verbs visual representation Visual reading visual arts vocabulary worksheets lesson plans listing questions lessons learning styles Language arts lesson plan projects lesson activities language arts ELA comprehension common core creative comparison writing orgainzers graphic organizers.

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.