3 must haves for personal narrative writing

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When I started my career in teaching, writing workshop was all the rage! Teachers were excited about getting to know their students using the workshop model. I quickly learned that the lessons in these units were good ones, but could use places for reinforcement. Below I have listed the 3 MUST HAVES for PERSONAL NARRATIVE WRITING.

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Teaching Personal Narrative is one of my favorite units because I get to see into the lives of my students. We start out the year sharing about our summer vacations and generating ideas together. Then I begin with a MUST HAVE ACTIVITY NUMBER ONE an important lesson that compliments any personal narrative curriculum I have ever used called: “Watermelon verses Seed” topics. We go through topics that had been shared about our summers and I explain which ones are TOO BIG “Watermelon” sized and which ones are JUST RIGHT “Seed Moments.” Then students practice the idea using the sort activity below.

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Once we have our drafts done, students begin the revision process. This is when I break out MUST HAVE ACTIVITY NUMBER TWO that again complements any personal narrative unit I have ever taught. It is called “Show not Tell” Scoot. You can also use this as example cards in a whole group discussion. I post these around the room and students read each one. Then the record their answers on the “Scoot” recording sheet.

Finally when we are in the editing stage of writing, I break out MUST HAVE ACTIVITY NUMBER THREE, and you guessed it, that complements any personal narrative unit I have every used. This activity is called “CHANGING PARAGRAPHS.” This activity has 5 examples of personal narrative writing that needs to be edited for paragraphing. Students learn all the reasons why they need to paragraph. Then they take the examples and place paragraph symbols into the places that need editing. After discussing these changes together, students learn when and how to place paragraphs into their writing.

Back to School STEM Activities and More

I love starting the year off with STEM challenges! Not only do they allow me to see how my students work in groups or teams, I can see their personalities shine through when given a challenge!

I have created a Back to School Stem Activities and more pack so you can hit the ground running right when you go back. Check it out below. 

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There are 3 choices for you to choose from when inside this pack. Appropriate for grade levels K-5. 

STEM challenge #1: Design a Desk

Stem challenge #2: Build a Bridge

Stem Challenge #3: Apple Drop

Graphing Skills with Back to School items has also been included in this pack for you to use in math centers, morning work, or as a filler. 

Writing Craftivity can be done with or without the people. I used card stock so that it would stay durable to hang the bulletin board. The prompt shown below is one where the students can introduce themselves. Prompts included are:

• Describe an activity you did over the summer
• Describe how you get ready for school.
• My name is _______________ (To introduce themselves)

The last thing included in this pack is "Crack the Code." These have been organized into 3 different levels (K--1,2-3,4-5). Each activity answers a joke.

Back to School Postcards

Who doesn't love getting snail mail?  Two weeks ago I got an email telling me that my class list was ready! I logged into our school-wide site to see the names of all my new third graders for this upcoming school year! Looking at the  class list in my hand was exciting… 

Do you all feel this excited too?

I wanted to make postcards to send out to them… so I came up with these. 

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Includes 4 different designs for the cover.

These are editable and pre-made to make the process simple for a friendly note on the back.

A great way to make everyone a part of the class right from the start. 

FB: Christian School Teachers

I am excited to announce that I have created a Facebook group for Christian School Teachers! This group has been created for you to connect with other Christian School Teachers. It is my hope that we will all be able to share ideas, thoughts, and activities that promote learning from a Biblical perspective. Interested? CLICK HERE!