October 06, 2009
The writers in Room 11 blew me away this morning. For the last couple of days we have been talking about story leads. Today we examined more closely the strategies published writers use to draw their readers into their stories in the first few sentences. We discussed that they often use dialog, small actions, descriptive language to describe the setting, or a combination of these things to create the mood of their story. After trying it out once while we were still gathered on the carpet, the children went off to try it out on their own. Below is what they came up with. Their story leads are truly amazing!! Please, take a look.
Clop. Clop. “Wait for me.” I was running down the plank.
“Wahoo!” I yelled. I was going to China Town.
“Yes!” I was getting ready to do the Rock Fest with my brother.
“Hey!” I said. That was it. I was out. I stomped out of the room.
It was dark. Thuddd. You could hear the running in the distance. “There,” I said. “You’re it!” I yelled.
Crack! Faster and faster down I fell. “Aaaaaah,” I screamed.
I stretched over the railing. Somebody pushed me. SPLASH! I fell in.
I threw the golf club instead of hitting the ball. “Oh no,” my dad yelled.
I ran up the stairs. I stopped, turned to the slide, and jumped on.
I saw a light. I went to the light. I tripped. When I got up I was on soft grass.
Finally. It was set. I was going to test it.
I was so excited my heart was pounding. I was going to pick up my mom from the airport. –
I went to the park and I saw a new swing. I got on it and said, “Woohooo.” –
I was watching t.v. when my dad suddenly said, “Get over here!” –
CRASH! The wave slammed on the shore! A little motor zoomed across the water. I jumped in. SPLASH! –
BOOM! A loud sound came from the car. BOOM! Again, the car made that sound. BOOM! We tried to go. Our car broke down.
“What! Why! No!”
I was cheerfully playing on the DS Lite. My little brother Calvin had just told me how to complete "Stand tall 4 pillars."
I was at the park playing soccer with my cousin. "Goal!" I said. I kicked the ball. POW! The ball went flying into the air.
"Dad, come down here. The football game is on."
I was running as fast as I could go! I was on the Wonders soccer team. All of the sudden THWACK, the ball hit me in the stomach.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! I was running as fast as I could go. "Tag, you're it," Rita said as she tapped me lightly on the shoulder.
We have great personal narratives on the way!!!!
Tags:
3rd grade
,
4th grade
,
writer's workshop
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September 08, 2009
Hello Room 11 Families,
Room 11 had a splendid first day. It was nice to meet or reconnect with so many of you this morning. The highlight for me was the "hot lava" game. Imagine a group of four students attempting to get across the half basketball court (a pool of molten lava) using only three file folders. They actually only had half of each file folder. Putting their heads together, they had to come up with and execute a plan to get all four people across, while only being allowed to step on the folders. All six groups made it across!! A couple of groups had to scrap their first strategy and start over, but they persevered. Some things I observed students doing: agreeing on a plan before acting, modifying plans along the way, encouraging each other, trying again, having fun, and working together. It was a beautiful sight! I wish I had had my camera with me.
Please stay tuned for more snippets from Room 11.
:)
Ms. Jessica
Tags:
3rd grade
,
4th grade
,
team building
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