Over the summer, I made math toolkits with tons of math charts and resources to help my students during math centers. I knew I wanted something similar for writing and I finally have it ready to share with you. These writing toolkits are full of FREE writing resources and charts that will help your students become independent and confident writers. This post includes ... Read More
Browse the archives below for even more great ideas
5th Grade ELA Pacing Guide {Free}
Last year, I shared my 5th grade math pacing guide and several of you requested an ELA one. In this post, I will share a printable download of my 5th Grade ELA pacing guide using the common core state standards and some general information and rationale. This guide includes how I pace reading standards, language standards, and writing standards. Keep in mind as you view ... Read More
Generating Writing Topics Using Lists {Writing Workshop Ideas}
It has been a while since I have shared a writing idea, so I thought I would write about one of my favorite ways to get some super authentic writing topics for your students. This post is all about generating writing topics using lists in a writer's notebook. To read about generating writing topics using heart maps, click here. To read another method for generating ... Read More
Field Trip Activities {Free Field Trip Resources}
I have a love/hate relationship with field trips. Some years they are great, and some I just want to sleep for twelve hours after the field trip and never speak of it again (surely I am not the only one, right?). Field trips can fun and super educational, though. It is nice to take the students out into the "real world," to expose them to new experiences, and teach them ... Read More
Persuasive Writing Anchor Charts for Struggling Writers {Lots of Pictures}
Here are some of my favorite persuasive writing anchor charts that I have used to help my struggling writers write strong, detailed persuasive papers. These charts contain a lot of sentence stems and step by step directions for each paragraph. It may seem a bit formulaic in nature, but once the students feel comfortable, they will branch out and add their own style and ... Read More
Writing Choice Boards
My students absolutely love choice boards. They love choosing their own tasks and having that sense of ownership. So, I created a set of Writing Choice boards that aligned to Common Core requirements and coordinate perfectly with my Reading and Math CCSS choice boards. This resource contains 7 different choice boards with 15 prompts on each choice board, for a total of ... Read More
Easy and Engaging Writing Ideas
I use a Writing Workshop model in my classroom that involves a lot of sharing, talking, and writing! Since my writing block is at the very end of the day, I often have to use some strategic writing ideas that get the kids up and moving, and excited about their writing. I wanted to share with you two of those strategies that are a favorite of mine- and so ridiculously ... Read More
Transition Words {Interactive Notebook} Freebie!
Last week, I did a quick mini lesson on using transition words in writing. We talked about how transition words make stories sound better and help the reader move through the story. We discussed how clear organization is key to a successful story and how transition words are key to having clear organization. We made this anchor chart as a class of some common transition ... Read More
Teaching Persuasive Writing with a Mentor Text
I absolutely love teaching persuasive writing, and I love using mentor texts even more. This year, I used the picture book, I Wanna New Room. This read aloud follows the same format of I Wanna Iguana with letters back and forth from the child to the parents. My main focus for this lesson was on choosing a main point and providing valid resources to support that ... Read More
Writing Workshop Idea for Gathering Seeds: I Bet You Didn’t Know!
Hello, friends! I am back on this sunny Sunday with another post with another writing workshop idea about Gathering Seeds for Narrative Writing during Writing Workshop. Check out my previous post here for more ideas on generating narrative writing ideas. Today's post is a twist on making lists with a fun little organizer of sorts. Please don't judge my terrible ... Read More
Writing Workshop: Gathering Seeds
Have I told you guys yet that I am moving schools? Well, if not, I am moving schools! I will still be in 5th grade but I am teaching in a school that is known as a Literacy Collaborative School that uses Fountas and Pinnell with fidelity. I met with my literacy coach today to map out the first few days of school. While I was pulling out my seed notebook, I decided it ... Read More
6 Traits Writing and a Secret Code to Improve Narrative Writing
Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas! We didn't get any snow in Georgia, but my family and I did drive up to the mountains earlier today to check out the snow on top. Now, little Brody is tuckered out and has been in bed since 5! WOW! That is unusual for Brody bear! Think 9 year old Autistic boy with TONS of energy. So I have some time to blog. ... Read More
