Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Handy Dandy Writing Tool

I like to see my kids' names on the board but only for the best of reasons.  Last week we learned how to use certain words to create suspense in our realistic fiction stories, so after the mini-lesson I attached the list to the whiteboard and told the writers to make sure and sign their name around it if they tried  any of the words.  It's amazing how the simple signing of a name can heighten awareness of a mini-lesson strategy.  



Here's page one of a piece that was written that day. This little writer was definitely in the zone.  It's possible the incentive to write on the board helped just a little.


One morning Ava was walking to school.  All of a sudden it started to hail.  She said, "Oh my heavens."

We don't write our names on the board every day, but it's a nice little trick to pull out of the bag every so often.  Look here for other ways I've used this tool during writing workshop.  

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14 comments:

  1. Oh, my heavens! That is too cute that your little one wrote that! That is a great motivator to have them sign their name after trying a new strategy. :)
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, I thought his thoughts were pretty cute too. It doesn't always work out that well, but when the lightbulb does go on, it sure feels good!

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  2. Another great idea, Tammy. Thanks for sharing. I know my kiddos are loving the sentences with their name on the board every morning...another one of your ideas!

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, thank you much. I'm smiling to hear that the sentences are working well for you!

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  3. That is handy dandy - and I went back and read your other post too. I'm in love and honestly can't wait to use this. I've had some relunctant writers this year, and I know this will be just the little/simple motivator they might need to take that risk!

    Thanks bunches!

    Holly
    Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

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    1. Holly, thank you for coming by and reading. I'm loving that you think this will work for your writers too! You're ever so welcome.

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  4. I love this Tammy! You always have the neatest ideas.
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Thanks so much Barbara. It was one of those spur of the moment ideas that proved to be quite useful. Those ideas don't always turn out that way. :)

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  5. Creating that sense of ownership is so important!
    I am doing the same type of idea with our CAFE strategies too! Actually, you can do it with just about everything!
    Thanks for sharing your lesson with us!
    Julie
    Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe

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    1. Julie, it's definitely transferrable to other areas, huh? Thanks for the reminder. I love that you dropped by!

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  6. I just LOVE this IDEA!!!!! I am going to find a way to do something like this!!

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    1. Melissa, I love that you think this will be helpful with your K kids. I'd love to hear how it goes.

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  7. What a great and simple idea! I'm definitely going to be using this when we start talking about writing dialogue.
    - Amanda
    Inspired in Second

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    1. Thank you Amanda. I hope this proves to be helpful with your writers!

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