Sunday, March 18, 2012

Making Prompt Writing Fun!

So here's my take... on writing prompts.


     Spring time is here and so is the Writing Predictor Assessment (my county's name for it). I have been researching (blog stalking) how others get students ready for this day.  I really enjoyed Lorraine's idea at Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies. She created a Writing Camp (you must check it out, plus there is a freebie!). I definitely aspire to implement this next year!


     My research turned up that many teachers are using picture prompts. I immediately found awesome pictures to use, but they didn't fully hook my students...until I found Video Writing Prompts!


     TeachHUB has a collection of relevant, interesting, and age appropriate video clips to get students excited to write!

     The best part is that they already have prompts ready to go for you, plus they differentiate them for different age groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 etc). 

     The graphic link above will take you to the first video prompt I did with my class. They had an absolute fun time writing and didn't want to stop once writing time was over! 
Freebie!
    My student's struggle with writing proper paragraphs and organizing a 5 paragraph essay. I used the video writing prompts to practice what we called "perfect paragraphs". 

     My student's had success with the above organizer for paragraphs, so I modified the organizer to introduce the 5 paragraph essay. When my student's got familiar with the organizers they learned to create them in their notebooks (copy paper is in short supply at my school).

Freebie!

What do you do to get your students ready for the writing assessment? I would love to hear about your great idea, please leave a comment below!

8 comments:

Heather said...

Very nice! You know finding new ways to tweak writing is a subject that is near and dear to my heart.

khall said...

Love....love...love your graphic organizers! I have been giving my kids the option between four square and your type...I did not know what to call it and my kids named it the hamburger helper(because of the top and bottom). I can't wait to show them it has a better name!

Patti White said...

Thanks for the freebie! I saw you post on my blog about how you found my blog at the linky party and, of course, I hurried on over here to check your blog out. I just LOVE it! I'm now following you too and I've already gotten several ideas. Thank you very much!
Patti :)
A Series of 3rd Grade Events

amyvb said...

That is such a great idea! Love the TeachHub videos :-) Will definitely be sharing this with the students I teach (I TA and hopefully soon teach a graduate level reading instruction class). Thanks Andrea!

Unknown said...

Hi Andrea! I found your adorable blog through the linky party! I am your newest follower.

Krista
stellar-students

Beyond Teaching said...

Such a great idea! I also have trouble with my students organizing their paragraphs! Will use this! Thank you!!!!

P.S I'm your newest follower!!

Kaitlin

www.beyondteachings.blogspot.com

Neffer1982 said...

Thanks for the great resources! My students struggle with the five paragraph essay too. I can't wait to check out those video prompts! I'm your newest follower!
Jenny
Teachinginsixth.blogspot.com

Smith Harry said...

i am follower its very nice and impotent way for students and teachers ...I really like it very much...Thanks for nice blog...
Graphic Organizers

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