Friday the 13th Debate {Writing Lesson}

Writing teachers!

I love using debates to create stronger writers.

My hope is that all students (and teachers!) will find debates a great way to practice speaking their mind. By figuring out how to express opinions out loud, students will become better opinion and argument writers! (The amazing Lucy taught me all about it... she's seriously the writing God.)

Writing time should always be fun and manageable. Nobody enjoys taking a writing test, but being able to write “on demand” is a skill that serves a viable purpose. I firmly believe that a strong writing curriculum and systematic on demand writing environment will vastly improve student’s writing skills and writing enjoyment – and debates are a huge part of that!

In this lesson, you will find a lesson plan for you, materials to support your students and an article for your students to read. And it's FREE!

What Are Mentor Texts and How Can You Use Them?

Are you teaching writing with mentor texts to study and imitate writers? If not, be sure to read below - you're going to want to make sure you start ASAP because they make teaching writing so much more simple! And if you are using them - what would add to this list? Comment below!

The Raft

Scarecrow

More on Writing Conferences

Wondrous Words

Spring & Easter Freebies for Upper Elementary

This week I spent some time gathering up some fun and engaging freebies! My favorite time of the year is Spring! Outside the weather is beautiful, plants are blooming, and in the classroom - students are on point. They get into the groove, gain a lot of independence, and are just more fun to be around {typically}. How are you enjoying your Spring?

Check out these amazing freebies & grab one {or all} and have some fun! I LOVE how the Journal Prompts tie into last week's post on curing Writer's Block!

Earth Day Promises: A Writing Activity

Earth Day Report Card

Poetry & Figurative Language Posters

March Journal Jar

3 Ways to Destress Your Students in 5 Minutes or Less

Stress finds it's way into every classroom. But don't let it get to you! Here are some surefire ways to quickly de-stress that classroom!

Lead Your Class Through Yoga 

Yoga in My Classroom

How to Get Re-Energized About Teaching Writing Halfway Through the Year

It's January. It's cold. I don't know about you, but by now I'm usually over writing. Kiddos have run out of topics. I've run out of patience. And writing conferences just aren't running as smoothly as they used to.

But writing is important. And we want our little writers to see that and know that. And they can't see that and know that if you're sitting in the corner even more frustrated or unhappy than they are!

So how does one get re-energized about teaching writing? Follow one (or 2 or all) of the steps below to help you feel better about your writing time!

 >>My TpT Store<<

I hope these ideas can help you feel great about your time spent teaching writing! Don't be scared to spoil yourself - YOU DESERVE IT!

What Should Writing Conferences Look Like in the Classroom?

Are you a Writing Conference master? Writing Conferences are something most teachers squeeeeze into their day. And when they're squeezed in, they begin to look weak. But did you realize we're doing a huge injustice to our students by not being prepared? Check out my quick tips for making sure you have Writing Conferences nailed!

 Challenging, I know! But if you let yourself mingle with students for 15+ minutes, you'll never be able to meet with everyone. It's a fine line you need to walk between quality & quantity.

If you discuss these 3 things every time, you should have a strong grasp of what your writers are working on at all times. Make sure the majority of your time is spent discussing the student's writing goal and how they plan to achieve it. (This is where I love to pull from the masters, like  Cynthia Rylant and utilize mentor texts).

Grab Free Writing Conference Forms Here!

 They're free and pretty - what more could you ask for? For personalized Conference Forms with the CCSS standards included, be sure to purchase one of my writing units!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway! AND check out the FAB Miss L's Blog for some seriously amazing tips for breaking up those November blues!








a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaching Writing to 6th Graders

Teaching writing in general is HARD.  Teaching it to 6th graders.  Who don't want to write.  And who are, well, 6th graders, is a completely different challenge.  Luckily I've made it simple for you.  Like, lesson plans every day.  All materials provided.  And they're fun!  You'll finally enjoy writing,  they'll finally enjoy writing, and you'll see growth!  I promise!  Check out my 6th grade writing curriculum and go ahead and enter the giveaway I'm hosting right now!  Win a unit and try it out for yourself!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Argumentative Writing Lesson Plans for 6th Graders + Giveaway!

If you're on the East Coast then you probably are still swimming to work. This rain has been absurd. Every time I look at the weather, I swear it's a constant sea of green, yellow, or red.  We're definitely ready for some sunshine. Luckily I'm not in any danger, but many around me are. That's why 50% of my Argument Writing Unit sales, from today until next Wednesday (Oct. 14), will go directly to those who have been effected by the storms.

 
Which leads me to... my newest writing unit!! Just for 6th grade teachers- this unit shows you how to teach argument writing and has EVERYTHING you could ever need. Seriously.

In fact, I'll be giving away one of these units to a few lucky teachers! All you need to do is enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Classroom Economy - Checkbook Incentive Program

How many of you are stumped on classroom incentives?  I know I was forever.  Something that worked one year, wouldn't work the next.  My kiddos were just too different.  Like all classrooms, some were internally motivated.  Some were externally motivated.  Some worked really hard no matter what.  Others didn't work hard at all, for any reason.  That's just the way it is. 

Ideally I would LOVE to have a classroom where positive verbal reinforcement was enough.  And where I was good enough at it, that it worked and I didn't need another system.  But alas, I am not there yet.  I'll keep working on it though! 

But until then, I have come up with a system that I have used, altered, mastered, and come to love, y'all!  I am so excited to share it with you!  It's the Checkbook Incentive Program.   Check it out by clicking on the link!

Basically, students make their own checkbooks {everything they need is in the packet on TpT} and then get rewarded for good behavior and work, with checks from you.  Students keep their checks and their balance in their own checkbooks.  {LESS WORK FOR YOU, PTL!!!}  Then, they visit a "Banker" {which can be you or it can be a classroom job for your students- I recommend making it your students if they can be responsible and trustworthy} and "deposit" their checks in the bank.  For me, our bank is a binder with balance sheets.  Each student has their own balance sheet that looks an awful lot like this...

At the beginning of each year, I print my own checks and write on them.  I write different reasons I may pass out a check, like "Being a great listener", "Going above and beyond", or "Helping another classmate".  I then give all the checks different denominations.  I like to stick with $5-$15.00, but the price is completely up to you!  You can even make some checks crazy denominations, like $12.36 to force adding and subtracting different numbers.  Then, I laminate the checks and cut them out so they're ready to pass out at a moment's notice!  When I see a kiddo doing an exceptional job, I hand them a check and very specifically verbalize why they're receiving that check.  {That's an important part of this system!  Kiddos need to know what they did so well!}. 

At the beginning of the year we choose good times to balance our checkbooks, so that we don't have students balancing them during my math lesson!  So until it's the right time, students stick their check in their pocket or in their checkbook.  Then when they're able, they fill in their new check in their checkbook balance pages and find their new balance.  About once a week, students sign up to visit the banker and deposit their checks in our class bank.  {This is where laminated checks can be great because you can reuse them once they're turned in!}  Students keep track of their own balances in their checkbooks and just like a real checkbook- the correct balance is always the one at the bank. 

So what do students do with all this money?  What's the big deal?  Well, here's my favorite part!  When students go to the bank, they are also able to "purchase" an item by writing a check to me {they better fill it out correctly though!}.

The possibilities are completely endless and up to you, so this program can fit your own classroom! 

One thing I really love about this program is, twice a year we have a large auction where we ask families and local organizations to donate items for us to auction off to the students!  These auctions are a great way to discuss with students why it's important to save your money and it provides them with an incentive to work hard all year.  It's a win/win! 

Again, how you use this program is completely up to YOU and your class!  If you have any questions about this or any of my other products, feel free to e-mail me at Appleslices4th@gmail.com. 

And for the next 4 days, I will have all my products marked down 20% to celebrate Summer and that we have about one month left to enjoy!  Also, it's mine and my hubby's 1 month anniversary. :)   I know it's a small one but you've just gotta celebrate every little bit of life, right?  So enjoy!

Happy Friday, everyone!