Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Teach Students to Share Evidence! CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9


Sharing evidence is HARD.  Students consistently struggle with this in testing, writing responses, or sharing their opinion.  And unfortunately, I get it!  They don't yet grasp the concept of figuring out HOW they know something and then putting it in their response.  But today I want to share a couple tricks to help you get students to share their evidence! Be sure to check out my Pinterest Board for a whole slew of information. 

Before you can do anything, your kiddos need to be readers.  You don't want them reading like we grew up reading.  I know I was taught to find the answer and regurgitate it.  Thinking was never necessary.  Nowadays, I want to teach readers who think critically about what's in front of them.  So numero uno, it's vital to discuss text with your readers!  Without this key component, they won't begin thinking about the text at all.   You can grab a cheat sheet >>HERE<<!
After you've talked a lot about texts, the best way to get students to really see evidence, is to grab a graphic organizer.  A simple graphic organizer like the one below will help get kiddos thinking.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vmtm6m63k1a4svd/CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9%20for%20Teachers.pdf?dl=0 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vmtm6m63k1a4svd/CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9%20for%20Teachers.pdf?dl=0


After you've used a graphic organizer, learners should begin to get the hang of it.  As they do, a good reminder like this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vmtm6m63k1a4svd/CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9%20for%20Teachers.pdf?dl=0

will help keep them on track! 

By digging in deep with smaller texts in the beginning, students will be able to start tackling larger and more complex texts.  It's all about scaffolding and modeling! 

What are your favorite tips?  I would love to hear them! 

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Weekly Inspiration!

It's Sunday, and while I've been slacking on the blogging, it's time for some weekly inspiration!  Grab this fun and Spring-y iPhone wallpaper NOW!  Just save it to your phone and enjoy :)


Sunday, April 12, 2015

4th Grade Writing Units

Is teaching writing getting you down?  I used to despise writing.  Like, Iwouldtotallyskipitjusttoavoidit.  Shhhhh.   But then I went and saw Lucy speak.  And got motivated.  I absolutely lovelovelove Lucy but dang is she wordy!  And I just never had enough time for her lessons (anyone else out there agree?).  So I took her fab ideas about writing and began creating my own writing unit that fit my maaaybe 50 minutes that I had scheduled for writing. 

Eventually, I began to love writing.  And lowandbehold, SO DID MY STUDENTS!  We had a classroom full of writers!!  And once they got better at writing, I saw them improving in all other areas.  Writing really does improve all subject areas for your kiddos. 

Since then, I've been building my 5th grade and 4th grade writing units because every student should love writing, and with these units (and a little teacher excitement) I can guarantee that your students will enjoy writing, ask to write more, and write in their free time.  Seriously.  I PROMISE. 

So with my Informative Writing Unit recently uploaded, stop by and grab it for 20% off!  Today and tomorrow only!  I know you'll love it!