This year has started off smoothly and I
thought I would share a few "new" things that I have tried this year.
First, I started the year off by hanging a "Ready to Learn"
banner in my room. It is bright and cheery so it gave the room a little
sparkle! Download a copy of the banner by clicking on the pic.
Next, I started morning writing journals this year. I was thinking that when I taught the lower grades, this was always a staple in my day. But, when I started teaching the upper grades I just never made time for journal writing. Who says the bigger kids can't keep a journal?? :) So, I decided to start journal writing in my fifth grade classroom. As the kids come in the room in the morning I hand them their writing prompt. The kids head to their desks and start taking out their homework. As they wait for me to come around to check their homework, they start writing in their journals for about 20 minutes. The kids are loving this. It is really kickstarting their writing fluency and they even look at it as a sort of "diary"! The prompts mostly have been personal narrative type questions, but I am thinking of expanding later in the year to other genres. This does not serve as our writing block, but it is a great way to calmly start the day and squeeze a little writing in. It is sort of like the writing version of SSR. I don't necessarily call it SSW (Sustained Silent Writing) because 5th grade diaries or journals seems much more exciting to them! Here are a few samples:
Next, I started morning writing journals this year. I was thinking that when I taught the lower grades, this was always a staple in my day. But, when I started teaching the upper grades I just never made time for journal writing. Who says the bigger kids can't keep a journal?? :) So, I decided to start journal writing in my fifth grade classroom. As the kids come in the room in the morning I hand them their writing prompt. The kids head to their desks and start taking out their homework. As they wait for me to come around to check their homework, they start writing in their journals for about 20 minutes. The kids are loving this. It is really kickstarting their writing fluency and they even look at it as a sort of "diary"! The prompts mostly have been personal narrative type questions, but I am thinking of expanding later in the year to other genres. This does not serve as our writing block, but it is a great way to calmly start the day and squeeze a little writing in. It is sort of like the writing version of SSR. I don't necessarily call it SSW (Sustained Silent Writing) because 5th grade diaries or journals seems much more exciting to them! Here are a few samples:
Finally, I wanted to share something that
has been a LIFESAVER for homework. I am using a homework data chart that
the students pull out every morning as I am checking homework in. First
the students lay out their homework so I can see every sheet on their desk.
I can just eyeball to see if they have done their homework and if so I
give them a stamp for the day. If the student's have "perfect
homework" for the month, they get a no homework pass for the following
month. This is the ONLY time I give out no homework passes SO they REALLY
want it!!!! I had about 85% of my students have perfect homework for August so
I would say that was a success. Click on the image below to grab it!
Thank you for the journal samples. I think this is a great strategy to get the students writing. :) Thanks!
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