Rules of Writing

Thought you all might like this quote about writing - and the rules we "think" govern it..

Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

~William Safire, "Great Rules of Writing"

Morpheme Flip Book

After our discussion about vocabulary development during our vertical team meeting Tuesday, many of you will be thinking of ways to build stronger working vocabularies with the students in your classroom.  Helping kids understand word structure is an effective way to guide kids to understand the meaning of new and multi-syllable words - as well as a tool to use (and make up) words in their written work.  This video provides directions for creating a morpheme flip book.  If you try this strategy, let me know if you need lists of prefixes, roots, and suffixes. 

YouTube and Beyond

Over the past few weeks I've posted several videos from YouTube on this blog, however this is not the only source of media available. Check out this blog that lists numerous free media resources for teachers.  I'll also list the link on the blog list for easy access.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/09/47-alternatives-to-using-youtube-in.html

Writing to Demonstrate Learning

Many of you are working to add variety and complexity to WTDL formative assessments.  I will be putting several new graphic organizer templates (with directions) in the red pocket chart hanging to the left of the bulletin board.  There are more templates available on the G drive - and there a several professional books on formative assessment on the bookshelf as well.  Let me know what's working (or not working) with your students.  I'd love to share some examples at a staff meeting, so please pass along copies of student work to me.  Thanks for having open minds and being willing to "give a go" with new strategies and materials! 

Going with the Flow

Many of you are trying new strategies in your classrooms this year...Positive Discipline, math workshop, Daily 5, Words Their Way, incorporating more thoughtful writing to learn and writing to demonstrate learning strategies...the list could go on. Remember to keep things in perspective as you give new ideas "a go" and realize that as you learn and grow as a teacher, there will be moments that shine, and moments that are less than stellar! Learn and laugh with the dips and celebrate with the high points. Here's a little story of a cat who can "go with the flow"...enjoy!

First Grade Self Portraits

Check out Susan Harsh's first grade self portraits.

Kids created self portraits and then brought in pictures, wrote words, and added illustrations of things they're interested in. These self portraits are being used to collect seed ideas for writing workshop.

Getting Started with 6 + 1 Trait Writing

Writing workshop routines are beginning to settle in and many of you will begin to introduce the 6 + 1 Trait writing framework. I have the mentor texts by trait lists on the G drive and will print a copy out and have available in my room. If you are looking for a resource to help you get started, check out the link below:

http://educationnorthwest.org/resource/504


Let me know if you have questions or need new ideas - I'd love to explore with you!