Writing
Students are learning that they have stories in their lives that matter. They are learning how to write quality personal narratives about the small moments in their lives. Also, students are learning strategies to generate their own ideas for writing, to focus in on a small moment, to make a movie in their mind, and to write with clarity. They are writing in the moment – including tiny details to help their stories unfold step-by-step. They are studying published writing to learn techniques for improving their own work. Students are writing several drafts, and then they are choosing one story that matters the most to them to revise and publish. They are developing the heart of their story by adding “JUICY” details and creating alternate leads and endings. They are learning that revision is about finding and developing the potential in a piece of writing. At the end of the unit, students will share their writing and celebrate each other’s work. This year we will be focusing on Personal Narrative, Informational and Opinion writing.