Writing Lesson Plans
These writing lessons are based on the California Writing Standards as well as a program called Excellence in Writing. It will show the students how to use a dictionary and thesaurus properly to enhance their writing. Also the student will be introduced to the concept of No Way Words, which are words that are overused and how to dress up their writing. The students will get as much as they are willing to do. Each grade level will be responsible for what is expected for them. This program diversifies to the level of the student naturally. There may be homework if a student does not finish the required work in the allotted time period.
Plans and Writing Standards
9/06/12 Introduction
No Writing- answers are oral Dictionary Skill - Guide words, syllables, part of speech, pronunciations, definitions, use in a sentence Thesaurus Skill - Guide words, synonyms, antonyms, part of speech IPad dictionary and thesaurus skill - point out differences to book Have all look up words - using both the dictionary and IPad- half the class on each as many as have time- students will answer as called upon. For each word will find guide words, syllables, part of speech, definition, use in sentence. Words nature, predator, prey, river, lake, waves, animal
9/10/12
Pass out Writing Folders- have students find an adjective using their initial in Thesaurus and put it on their Name Plate with their Name - best to use the book Start on Definitions- students will write the word and the first definition- paper due at end of writing on 9/13/12
9/13/12
Turn in definitions- Introduce Haiku Will be making a class book of Nature Haikus Each student will write four (4) haikus, one on the ocean, second on a lake, third on a river and fourth about nature.
Set up
5 syllables- Who, what 7 syllables- where, describe 5 syllables- why, how come Students turn in when finish all 4 for Mrs. Charles to type and print. Students will then decorate their page with color pencil.
Hope for a page from each TEACHER.
9/17/12
Work on Haikus - all haikus should be complete and turned in for typing and printing
9/20/12
Pass out NWW Folders- have students write adjective and name on Name Plate Set up pages for NWW as directed, Skip first three (3) pages, leaving them blank. Rest of pages will make "boxes" using rulers and pen as directed. After put pen and ruler away continue decorating Haiku page. If Haiku page is in the class notebook, completed and NWW folder is set up, may sign up for their animal report from choices given and get the new definitions page as well as the NWW List.
9/24/12
All Haikus should be in class book. Students will copy the following rules onto the first pages of their NWW Folder
No Way Word Rules
1. A NWW is a word that is overused. 2. Any 3-letter adjective, adverb, or verb is probably a No Way Word. 3. Many 4 and 5-letter adjectives, adverbs, and verbs are No Way Words. 4. I promise to never use a NWW in any writing if possible.
______signature.
Paragraph Rules
1. The first word of all paragraphs should be indented. 2. Skip lines in all writing and only use one side of the paper. 3. All paragraphs should have at least one adverb, adjective and strong verbs. 4. The first two (2) sentences of a paragraph should answer the following: Who, what, when, where, how come or why.
Proofreading Marks- sp- correct spelling adj.- need an adjective adv.- need an adverb NWW- no way word - indent first word of paragraph 9/27/12 Finish rules and symbols- students sign up for animal from list. Start on definitions using dictionary and IPad.
Word List Antarctica, glacier, arctic, ice, snow, beach, seal, penguin, whale, krill
10/01/12
Finish definitions and turn in for credit. Work on NWW List. Partner students Students will use the online LUSSD site encyclopedia as well as a book or Encyclopedia for this report. Must have book/encyclopedia by Oct. 8, 2012
10/11/12
In NWW Folder on one of the front pages- How to write a bibliography for the following: Encyclopedia, book, dictionary, thesaurus, Internet
Writing Standards to be covered for the next few weeks are as follows: Grade 3- W.2,4,6,7,8 Grade 4- W. 2,6,7,8,9 Grade 5- W.4,6,7,8,9
10/08/12
Start on Outline for report Third grade will write three (3 ) paragraphs, fourth grade will write four (4) paragraphs and fifth grade will write five (5) paragraphs.
Paragraph One (All grades)
I. animal (who), classification (what), location (where), why 2. Description of animal- at least two (2) details 3. Fun fact about animal. 4. Another fact or two about animal
Paragraph Two (All grades)
II Location, what, who, why, when (migrate?) 2.. Describe location 3. Fun fact about location 4. At least two more details about location.
Paragraph Three ( All grades) III animal, family life 2. Facts about progeny 3. How live 4. Fun fact
Paragraph Four ( Grades 4 and 5)
IV Animal, food- diet 2. How "hunts" 3. Fun fact about food 4. Family- share food? or what
Paragraph Five ( Grade 5)
V. Animal, family, food, location 2. How do we learn about this animal 3. Fun fact about learning 4. Most important fact you learned.
Outlines will be due Oct. 15, 2012 -end of writing period
10/11/12
Work on outline using books, IPad/internet
10/15/12
Finish outlines, turn in for credit
10/18/12
Pass back outlines Introduce first sentence page Help students write first sentence
Students write Bibliography of Book and Ipad used on 3x5 card with animal name so books may be returned. Students write rough draft using outline only- no books or IPad needed.
10/22/12
Continue writing rough draft
10/25/12 Continue on rough draft will need to be finished by Oct. 29, 2012 for partner share and corrections
10/29/12
Read rough draft aloud to partner, Partner checks rough draft and marks with pen any corrections needed using proofreading marks. Copy rough draft with corrections. Both rough drafts with outline due Nov.1, 2012 at end of writing session.
Writing Standards Grade 3- W.5, Grade 4- W.5, Grade 5- W.5
11/01/12
Finish copying rough draft with corrections- at end of writing period turn in Outline, First rough draft and second rough draft.. Mrs. Charles will then proofread and give credit.
11/05/12
Students write Bibliography page Book or Encyclopedia IPad Dictionary Thesaurus
Start on final copy- make sure to put in any corrections and always use your neatest writing.
11/08/12
Continue on final copy. When finished may draw a picture of the animal, turn in with all work completed to teacher on Nov. 15, 2012 (Please see 11/15/12 for what is to be turned in)
Work on NWW list
11/13/2012
Final copy, picture, NWW List
11/15/12 Final copy due
Writing Standards Grade 3- W.2 Grade 4 - W.2 Grade 5 - W.2
Turn into teacher Definitions Outline First Rough draft Second rough draft Bibliography Final Copy Cover- picture of animal- drawn!!!!!!!!
NWW List- turn in folder to Mrs. Charles at end of writing period for credit
11/26/12
Return NWW Folders
Writing Standards Grade 3 - W.1 Grade 4- W.1 Grade 5- W.1
Point of View / Persuasive talk about uniforms- discussion Pass out definitions page.
Word List uniform, persuade, observe, individual, interview, conform, identity, individual, identify, conformity, individuality
11/29/12
Work on definitions will be due December 3, 2012 at end of writing session.
12/03/12
Finish definitions- turn in for credit. Work on NWW List
12/06/12 Interview bibliography in NWW Folder
Questions for interview student will be doing- at least 10 questions- practice interviewing with partner
12/10/12
Interview a parent, teacher, student or staff- write answers down.
Work on NWW List
12/13/12
Interview with questions due to Mrs. Charles for credit- not rewritten- Just the notes
12/17/12
Review interview- decide on your point of view and why- write it down on 3x5 card Put all away in Writing folder Work on NWW List
The rest of the lesson plans will be given before Winter (Christmas) Break