Monday, August 27, 2007
WELCOME PARENTS!
I just wanted to take the time to welcome you. This is a preview of the writing program I will be using in my classroom. I encourage you to read through the information, and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I can't wait to get started.
What Are the Stages of the Writing Process?
o The writing process is what students think and do when they write. There are 5 stages to the writing process.
1. Pre-writing: is when students get ready to write. In pre-writing, students spend most of their time choosing a topic, consider their purpose for writing, consider who their audience is going to be, the form that they want to use, and where they organize their ideas for writing. Students can organize their ideas through webs, clusters, or graphic organizers.
2. Drafting: is when students get their ideas down on paper. In drafting, the paper is called a rough draft. This is a time to pour out ideas, with little concern about spelling, punctuation, and other mechanical errors.
3. Revising: is when students refine ideas in their writing. Once the drafting stage is done students need to take a break from their work for about 3 hours and then reread, share with other, and make revisions. Revising is when students add information, take away information, deleting information, or rearranging information.
4. Editing: is when students put the piece of writing into its final form. The way students edit their paper is through correcting their spelling, punctuation, grammar, handwriting, and capitalization. In this stage, it is also important to note that not all errors will be fixed and that’s okay.
5. Publishing: is when students write a final copy and share them orally with their appropriate audience. There are many ways to publish students’ writing. Student’s work can be done by:
o Making it into a book.
o Submitting the piece to a writing contest.
o Record the writing on a cassette tape.
o Submit it to a literary magazine.
o Read it at a school assembly.
o Share it at a read-aloud party.
o Send it to a pen pal.
o Display it on a bulletin board.
1. Pre-writing: is when students get ready to write. In pre-writing, students spend most of their time choosing a topic, consider their purpose for writing, consider who their audience is going to be, the form that they want to use, and where they organize their ideas for writing. Students can organize their ideas through webs, clusters, or graphic organizers.
2. Drafting: is when students get their ideas down on paper. In drafting, the paper is called a rough draft. This is a time to pour out ideas, with little concern about spelling, punctuation, and other mechanical errors.
3. Revising: is when students refine ideas in their writing. Once the drafting stage is done students need to take a break from their work for about 3 hours and then reread, share with other, and make revisions. Revising is when students add information, take away information, deleting information, or rearranging information.
4. Editing: is when students put the piece of writing into its final form. The way students edit their paper is through correcting their spelling, punctuation, grammar, handwriting, and capitalization. In this stage, it is also important to note that not all errors will be fixed and that’s okay.
5. Publishing: is when students write a final copy and share them orally with their appropriate audience. There are many ways to publish students’ writing. Student’s work can be done by:
o Making it into a book.
o Submitting the piece to a writing contest.
o Record the writing on a cassette tape.
o Submit it to a literary magazine.
o Read it at a school assembly.
o Share it at a read-aloud party.
o Send it to a pen pal.
o Display it on a bulletin board.
What Are The Elements of A Writing Workshop?
o AWriting Workshop is designed to help students understand the writing process mentioned earlier. In the writing workshop, students generally write on topics they have choosen themselves. There are 4 components to a writing workshop:
1. Mini-Lessons Done by The Teacher: During this portion of the writing workshop, students learn procedures for writing, qualities of good writing, writing strategies and skills such as proofreading, organization, how to use quotation marks, and more. This part takes around 10-15 minutes.
2. Time to Write: During this portion of the writing workshop, students begin writing independently. Students work at their own pace on writing projects they have chosen themselves. This part takes around 20 minutes.
3. Time to Conference: During this portion of the writing workshop, students have a chance to get feedback on their writing from the teacher. This part varies, depending on the class.
4. Time to Share: During this portion of the writing workshop, students have the chance to share their writing. This is the time to shine! Students love to share their work with others. This part takes around 5-10 minutes.
1. Mini-Lessons Done by The Teacher: During this portion of the writing workshop, students learn procedures for writing, qualities of good writing, writing strategies and skills such as proofreading, organization, how to use quotation marks, and more. This part takes around 10-15 minutes.
2. Time to Write: During this portion of the writing workshop, students begin writing independently. Students work at their own pace on writing projects they have chosen themselves. This part takes around 20 minutes.
3. Time to Conference: During this portion of the writing workshop, students have a chance to get feedback on their writing from the teacher. This part varies, depending on the class.
4. Time to Share: During this portion of the writing workshop, students have the chance to share their writing. This is the time to shine! Students love to share their work with others. This part takes around 5-10 minutes.
What Is A Writing Center and What Is Its Purpose?
o A writing center is a special place located in the classroom for students to work on their writing. The writing center has all of the materials students might need to use while in the writing center.
o Here is a description of what can be found in the writing center:
1. A book shelf to hold the materials.
2. Clipboards
3. Paper-all different kinds.
4. Stationary
5. Cards
6. Ruler
7. Stapler
8. Tape
9. Markers
10. Crayons
11. Pencils
12. Colored Pencils
13. Erasers
14. List of common words
15. First and last names of students in the class
16. Rules for the writing center
17. Alphabet
18. Small table
19. Chairs
o Here is a description of what can be found in the writing center:
1. A book shelf to hold the materials.
2. Clipboards
3. Paper-all different kinds.
4. Stationary
5. Cards
6. Ruler
7. Stapler
8. Tape
9. Markers
10. Crayons
11. Pencils
12. Colored Pencils
13. Erasers
14. List of common words
15. First and last names of students in the class
16. Rules for the writing center
17. Alphabet
18. Small table
19. Chairs
The Five Text Types That Will Be Taught Throughout the Year.
In Kansas, there are five types of text that are taught in the classroom.
1. Narrative Text: also known as a story. The most common narrative text is Charlotte’s Web. Ther are five key parts to a narrative text:
o Setting: when and where the story takes place.
o Characters: the people or personified animals who are involved in the story.
o Goals: are set by one or more of the characters in the story.
o Attempts: are the events that the characters go through to overcome conflict, reach their goals, and solve their problems.
o Conclusion: is what happens in the end; the character either reaches their goal or does not reach their goal.
2. Expository Text: also known as informational or factual book. Information about the 50 states or animals would be an example of an expository text.
3. Technical Text: can range from an instructional manual, a recipe, a science experiment, or a how to.
4. Persuasive Text: is text used to convince others into believing or doing something different. They are things such as editorials, and advertisements in the newspaper.
5. Poetry: there are many forms of poetry, here is an example of a poem.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN By Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
1. Narrative Text: also known as a story. The most common narrative text is Charlotte’s Web. Ther are five key parts to a narrative text:
o Setting: when and where the story takes place.
o Characters: the people or personified animals who are involved in the story.
o Goals: are set by one or more of the characters in the story.
o Attempts: are the events that the characters go through to overcome conflict, reach their goals, and solve their problems.
o Conclusion: is what happens in the end; the character either reaches their goal or does not reach their goal.
2. Expository Text: also known as informational or factual book. Information about the 50 states or animals would be an example of an expository text.
3. Technical Text: can range from an instructional manual, a recipe, a science experiment, or a how to.
4. Persuasive Text: is text used to convince others into believing or doing something different. They are things such as editorials, and advertisements in the newspaper.
5. Poetry: there are many forms of poetry, here is an example of a poem.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN By Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
What are some ways to encourage writing at school and home?
There are many ways to encourage writing at school and home. Here are some ideas you might find useful to encourage writing.
1. Home:
o Read to your child- reading and writing go along with each other.
o Make writing into a game.
o Write about subjects that your child is interested in.
o Make drawings, notes, and story maps to remember ideas on a topic.
o Allow your child to type on the computer.
o Post your child’s work in a place to be shared with others.
o Keep a daily journal.
o Allow your child to e-mail or use instant messenger (monitored).
o Have a mailing system in your house, where you can write to each other throughout the week.
o Let your child prepare the grocery list.
o When your child has a birthday, have them write little “Thank You” notes.
o Have your child write to family members.
o Take some time to write yourself- when your child sees you writing, they will do the same.
2. School:
o Proof-read writing assignments before student turn them in.
o Have a reward system for good work on students writing.
o After the student has turned in writing assignments, publish the completed work at home.
1. Home:
o Read to your child- reading and writing go along with each other.
o Make writing into a game.
o Write about subjects that your child is interested in.
o Make drawings, notes, and story maps to remember ideas on a topic.
o Allow your child to type on the computer.
o Post your child’s work in a place to be shared with others.
o Keep a daily journal.
o Allow your child to e-mail or use instant messenger (monitored).
o Have a mailing system in your house, where you can write to each other throughout the week.
o Let your child prepare the grocery list.
o When your child has a birthday, have them write little “Thank You” notes.
o Have your child write to family members.
o Take some time to write yourself- when your child sees you writing, they will do the same.
2. School:
o Proof-read writing assignments before student turn them in.
o Have a reward system for good work on students writing.
o After the student has turned in writing assignments, publish the completed work at home.
What are the Six Areas of Language Arts and How Can They Be Used?
Within language arts there are six areas. The six areas focus on ways of communicating in the classroom. The areas are Writing, Speaking, Visual Representing, Reading, Listening, and Viewing. Down below I have the six areas of language arts, and following each area, I have examples that students might be doing in class, or at home.
1. Writing: is when individuals communicate through their writing.
o Journals
o Reflections
o Predictions
o Creative Writing
o Writing Over the 5 Text Types
o Critiques
o Evaluations
o Feedback
o Shared Writing
o Guided Writing Teacher Writing
2. Speaking: is when individuals communicate verbally.
o Conversing with Classmates or Teacher
o Asking Questions
o Group Brainstorming or Discussion
o Presentations
o Show and Tell
3. Visual Representing: is when individuals communicate in a piece of work and others interpret it visually.
o Making Posters
o Rules
o Art Work
4. Reading: is when we communicate through reading words.
o Read Aloud (Done by the Teacher)
o Independent Reading
o Proofreading
o Reading the Chalkboard
5. Listening: is when we listen to one another through communication.
o Directions
o Story Time
o Books on Tape
o Show and Tell
o Listening to others and the teacher when they are talking.
6. Viewing: is when we take in information from what we see.
o Playground
o Gym
o Show and Tell
o Videos
o Games
o Posters
o Sculpture
1. Writing: is when individuals communicate through their writing.
o Journals
o Reflections
o Predictions
o Creative Writing
o Writing Over the 5 Text Types
o Critiques
o Evaluations
o Feedback
o Shared Writing
o Guided Writing Teacher Writing
2. Speaking: is when individuals communicate verbally.
o Conversing with Classmates or Teacher
o Asking Questions
o Group Brainstorming or Discussion
o Presentations
o Show and Tell
3. Visual Representing: is when individuals communicate in a piece of work and others interpret it visually.
o Making Posters
o Rules
o Art Work
4. Reading: is when we communicate through reading words.
o Read Aloud (Done by the Teacher)
o Independent Reading
o Proofreading
o Reading the Chalkboard
5. Listening: is when we listen to one another through communication.
o Directions
o Story Time
o Books on Tape
o Show and Tell
o Listening to others and the teacher when they are talking.
6. Viewing: is when we take in information from what we see.
o Playground
o Gym
o Show and Tell
o Videos
o Games
o Posters
o Sculpture
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