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Free Planning Page for Teaching Beginning Writing!

by | Jan 29, 2015 | Blog, Freebies, Teaching Strategies, Writing

I work a lot on writing with my students. There are many great graphic organizers and writing programs out there, but here is a planning page that I have found really works. I call it the “Stars and Bars Planning Page.” They are actually more like bullets or dashes, but “stars” rhymes with “bars,” and rhyming is a memory aid. (Thanks to my boss for sharing this idea!)

Download:   Stars and Bars Free Planning Page

Stars and Bars Free Planning Page-1

The reason I like this planning page is because it can be used on any piece of paper. Once the students know the format, they can make their own stars and bars, and fill in the planner. Here are a few important rules:

  • The planning page is for ideas, not sentences.
  • Limit ideas to five words or less.
  • Students start with the topic sentence and work their way down.
  • Students put a check mark on the planning page after they use an idea and have written the sentence.

The sample below is from the writing prompt: We just had our winter break. Write a paragraph in which you describe your break. Be sure to include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion.

Below is a sample planning page and then first draft paragraph.

Stars and Bars Sample

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Sample

Here are some common mistakes I see students make as I work with them:

  • Students try to write out sentences on their planning page; that is why I limit the ideas to five words or less. This is where they plan!
  • Students omit the topic sentence and go straight for the big ideas. I frequently emphasize the importance of introducing the topic–this is also the reason I make students start at the top of the planning page.
  • Students write all their big ideas into one long sentence. This is why we work through each sentence one at a time, and check off each idea on our planning page after we use it.
  • Students write about something totally different then what is on their planning page. Again, making the students put a check by each part of the planning page helps.

Students need a lot of guidance, and for the teacher/parent to work through the process with them. The more they practice, the better they get!

Finally, once students are familiar with the planning page, they can just draw the stars and bars on any sheet of paper, and plan for writing.

Simplified planning page:

Stars and Bars Simplified

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stars and Bars Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps! I will discuss editing and revising in a separate post. 

Freebie: Using Transition Words in Writing

by | Nov 5, 2014 | Blog, Writing

Here is a fun freebie for you to download! Transition Words

I have had really good results in using the life cycle of a butterfly (I do a follow-up lesson with the life cycle of a frog) in teaching the use transition words in writing. The simplicity of the lesson really helps students understand how to use transition words.

Here is basically how I teach the lesson:

First, we review the worksheet and discuss transition words. Next, we read a simple nonfiction book about the life cycle. Then, we use a graphic organizer to list the topic, key ideas, supporting details, and conclusion. Finally, we write the paragraph. I have students introduce each new stage with a transition word. I guide them through the process. I hope this helps!

Transition Words-1

 

Free St. Patrick’s Day Worksheet!

by | Mar 14, 2014 | Blog, Freebies, Writing

Here is a fun worksheet for you to download!

I am always thinking of ideas for teaching writing, and this worksheet lends itself well to teaching writing a paragraph. Students can write a topic sentence about catching a leprechaun, and then add three supporting sentences (from the list they make), and then a close.

Download here: St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick's Day-1

 

Test Taking Strategies for Reading and Writing

by | Mar 6, 2014 | Blog, READING, Teaching Strategies, Writing

gif_Education-031-bwState testing has arrived. Students have worked hard all year, and now it’s time for them to show what they know!

Students will be expected to:

  • Answer multiple choice questions
  • Write short constructed responses to reading
  • Write a paragraph(s) (younger students)
  • Write an extended piece (older students)
  • Edit

The tests vary slightly from state to state, but general test-taking principles apply across the board. Ideally, these skills should be taught all year long. Still, it is always good idea to do a refresher of test taking tips and strategies with your students/children before they test:

  • Read all the answers before you mark one. Often all of the answers have some relationship to the text.  Pick the one that is most related to the text.
  • Look back at the passage to locate answers. Think about where in the passage the answer might be found and read that part.
  • When writing, make sure you write to the prompt and use the language of the prompt in your paragraph or essay.
  • Make a plan to keep the writing organized. Include a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Be sure to include interesting details.
  • Reread your writing prompt to check for capitalization, punctuation, and any errors.

Keep in mind, state testing is only once a year, and offers just a “snap shot” of students’ capabilities.

These test taking strategies and skills are good for all year long. They may seem a little obvious, but I see students make these type of mistakes (e.g. not reading all the choices, etc.) all the time! I hope this helps.