Friday, September 30, 2011

Primary to Intermediate Persuasion!

So, this might make me sound a wee bit crazy, but I have enjoyed transitioning into a new grade-level!! Teaching a new grade-level is like having a blank canvas to paint on, and it is DEFINITELY keeping me on my toes! :) But, of course, I REALLY miss my sweet second grade babies. Lately I have been thinking of all the fun I had with my class last year. I'm brainstorming ways that I can take some of my favorite primary stuff and amp it up for my big kiddos!

Last year, my amazing team worked on creating an advertising and persuasion unit that we LOVED teaching!

We learned about persuasion and wrote persuasive letters. Then, we learned about ad campaigns. I tried to really have them analyze the tactics of different forms of advertisements. ie, Jingles are supposed to be catchy so they will stick in your head. Billboards are supposed to be large and with few words so that you read them as you drive by, etc etc.

The kids worked in groups to create their own ad campaigns about a candy of their choice. They wrote commercials and jingles all on their own, and let me tell you, they were a hoot!!! Then, we created slogans and billboards...



(This one says "The Ultimate Kiss"..it was so hard not to laugh when they told me this was their slogan.)

As you can tell, I was VERY hands-off with these, because I really wanted the design, sketch, planning etc to really be their own...These sweet little billboards make me smile, because it is genuine 2nd grade work all the way!! :)





(The group above wrote their jingle to the tune of "Firework" by Katy Perry, complete with choreography. Absolutely hysterical.)



(Notice the "Gummy Bears are at CVS"? haha)


So now, I've got to find a way to make this into a 5th grade unit...I really want to do something with social media as a form of advertising! Any ideas?

Thursday, September 29, 2011

CAFE Fluency Fun

I have been introducing the CAFE strategies these past few weeks. The fluency strategy I am focusing on most is "use punctuation to enhance phrasing." I wanted to do something that would have students focus on paying attention to ending punctuation and quotations while supporting comprehension.

My reading specialist and I have been discussing the benefits of using individual chapters of a book to teach a skill/lesson with the older students. It exposes them to great literature, and can also perk their interest in reading the whole book. **Works especially well with any chapter that is gross or funny :)

*A librarian I spoke with said that it is legal to photo copy a page from children's literature for instructional purposes. So, off I went...

I pulled out this classic...



In the last chapter, Peter's 3-year-old brother, Fudge, swallows his beloved pet turtle. The chapter is shocking and gross, yet very humorous! The kids L.O.V.E. it!

So...we had some highlighter fun by highlighting each speaker's words on the page. These two pages have great dialogue from Fudge, Peter and Mom. It also has TONS of exclamation points and question marks! Great for fluency practice!



After the highlighting, many kids were anxious to volunteer to read in their best *fluent* voices. We had a ball, and they were all cracking up at each other's "Fudge-Voice." It is amazing how a lesson can be so simple and easy, but it is engaging because the literature is good!

I'm sure you have done activities like this, but if you haven't tried this book, it has many great little episodic chapters. Perfect for mini lessons! I would LOVE to hear any specific books/ideas you have used for introducing CAFE strategies.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

You're the Inspiration!

Sweet Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics, gave me this award...



Tara's post describes it in more detail, but mainly it is supposed to be given to people who touch your heart and inspire you. Many many many blogs inspire me daily. The blog world has definitely made me a better teacher. Here are then ten blogs I chose to receive this award. When awarded you can add it to your blog and pay it forward. Thank you all for your inspiration!




Life is Better Messy Anyway!


Snyder Stories


BWS tips button


Lutton 519


A Time to Share and Create


Tales of Frogs & Cupcakes



Katie Lately


Thank you all for being wonderful bloggers! I heart you!