It started out easy enough. My second graders were sharing the questions they had written with one another, and to promote supportive listening I had the kids nominate strong questions for a light-hearted “awards” ceremony. Our “Questies” consisted of 3 categories:*Questions we’re most curious to find the answer to*Big questions, that nobody really has theContinue reading “Troubleshooting: Questions Edition”
Tag Archives: gifted
Making Lemonade
Now is about the time of year when I give my fifth grade students an assessment on literary analysis. We have spent a fair amount of class time learning how to write proper claims and arguments, and we have also discussed the type of language that is best suited for the tone of academic writing.Continue reading “Making Lemonade”
On Teaching and Transparency
I’m always complaining that I don’t have enough mentor texts to teach my students about reading and writing concepts. I can never get enough. That’s why I was so excited to introduce a concept to my two fourth grade groups yesterday and today. I got the idea from Kristin Ackerman and Jennifer McDonough’s book, Conferring withContinue reading “On Teaching and Transparency”
Ah, Fiction! We meet again.
I have a confession to make. I have not written fiction in…I cannot remember how long. There’s just something about writing fiction that stops me in my tracks. I don’t know what it is. Personal narrative? Poetry? Essay? I’m all in. Fiction? Move it along, nothing to see here. I’ve tried countless times, with stops andContinue reading “Ah, Fiction! We meet again.”
Right Poem, Wrong Assignment
Today I had my fourth graders write about something small, taken for granted, or unappreciated. We started with a poem I wrote and shared about lowly feet. Then it was time for the kids and me to get cracking. I meant to do the assignment along with them. I really did. But I couldn’t thinkContinue reading “Right Poem, Wrong Assignment”
More Important Things
Once again, I got to enjoy composing alongside my students today. This group of fourth graders was also working on “important” poetry, but we decided on pencils as our object. Here’s my contribution: The Important Poem The important thing about a pencil Is that it is sharp. It’s long, it’s yellow And you can twirlContinue reading “More Important Things”
Important Poetry
Once again, my students and I are composing poetry, this time based on Margaret Wise Brown’s The Important Book. It’s such a charming read, and both the kids and I love how Brown takes ordinary things in our lives and sees the poetry within. The kids wanted to write their poetry today about paper. So, I joinedContinue reading “Important Poetry”
Finding Trusted Readers
Sometimes, I don’t have all the answers. (Whaaaaatttt? Stop the presses! And don’t tell my children.) Naw, just kidding. But really. I know I’m not the only one who gets blind to my own writing, unable to either see or overcome the shortcomings of my craft. That’s when I need somebody else’s eyes on my work.Continue reading “Finding Trusted Readers”
Fifth Graders Take Over, Part II
Click here for the next installment of “How We Took Over the World.” Watch, enjoy, and leave a comment for these great kids.
Going with Plan B
I wasn’t going to have them watch it. As part of my daily blogroll, I came across the wordless animated short “How to Wait for a Very Long Time,” and the first thing I thought as I looked at the title was, “This will be a quick way to teach my kids patience and persistence.” AndContinue reading “Going with Plan B”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 