A great website from Scholastic that creates story starters in different genres and for different age groups!
Comics have been undergoing a renaissance of educational appreciation recently. Not only do they inspire reading and writing, but the comic form is popular amongst writers of different ages and abilities. It is also a more versatile genre than people think. It's not just all about superheroes. Here are some examples:
We often focus on precise nouns and interesting adjectives to create interesting pictures in the imaginations of our readers. However, as this article points out, verbs have their own magic as well.
I've done this from Grades 1 -4 and the children of all ages love it. Basically, you model writing a silly, ridiculous chapter book - literally typing with the words appearing on the screen/smartboard as you make it up on the spot. There are no rules. It is pure, madcap chaos. Chapters are incredibly short. Characters talk to the reader and then wander off. Chapters get lost. Stories start and stop suddenly. The 'author' takes a break and gets a drink, or answers the door or eats some toast. Anything you like. The sillier the better but draw a line at toilet humour or rudeness.
Here is a great animated lesson from TED-ed that explains what a metaphor is, how it is different from a simile, and why both are beautiful. Click here...
Electronic dictionaries and thesauruses are very useful in the classroom for expanding language use and resolving spelling issues. What makes these online sources especially useful is the fact you can play links that "speak" the words. The dictionary link will, like any electronic dictionary, hazard a guess at your spelling efforts. This takes the stress out of trying to find a word in a paper dictionary you can't spell but using spelling patterns - an particular challenge for dyslexic students. The thesaurus link is my favorite as it comes with a colour code for determining the most important synonym or antonym word choices. Great for mobile tablet use in the classroom.
www.dictionary.com www.theasurus.com |
WritingPassion and inspiration can transform every blank page into something magical. There are numerous ways to make this happen; so many wonderful outcomes. Archives
May 2016
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