October+13+-+Ideas

= Please read the chapter on Ideas. =

We will meet at BRMS library at 3:15 on October 13.
You can add to this wiki, either on this page or through the Discussion tab at the top of this page, any thoughts about the Ideas Chapter before we meet.

Discussion about feedback and how to get students to see the need to narrow a topic to a clear focus. "Where's your moment?" Activity from middle school book - "narrow it" pg 85 worked with one group of students. Similar to the funnel activity in primary book. The feedback given in the book is too general.

Student friendly rubrics available in Benchmarks book (Ann L). Using picture books for Ideas mentor texts.

Ruth Culham has many books available to help teach the traits. Using picture books, benchmark student work, interactive forms, etc..

How does this language blend with Lucy Calkins units of study? Different vocab - same qualities for effective writing.

Kids who have trouble finding ideas - especially those with limited language or experiences - how do we help them gather a bank of ideas. Writers Express series has some good ideas, keeping writers notebooks.

Ann shared interactive pdf on the smartboard that comes with some of Culham's supplement books (Benchmarks). Import pdf into smartboard notebook first to be more interactive.