Winter Writing, a Freebie and a Sale!

                                      
We all know that when we teach "Reading", we are not only teaching reading, but also decoding words, meaning or comprehension, speaking, listening, writing,...and writing includes expression as well as mechanics.  Sometimes students are reluctant to write because they do not have many experiences or a lack of connections.  Brainstorming is a great solution to help reluctant writers.  Modeling is also very important.  It helps students see that they actually can write a great story.  I have also found that a lot of children lack creativity.  Children should be the most creative of all of us!  I'm not sure why creativity is hard for children (although I have some ideas.... ahem.computer/video games which "create" for them) but none the less, we need to help them learn how to put their thoughts onto paper.   We write all day, in every subject and I have found that if students have some transition words to choose from, it helps them get their thoughts together in an understandable order.  I've attached a free transition word list for you HERE!  It looks like this:

 

This page is part of my Writing Toolbox.  The pages are tabbed so students can find what they need quickly.  The book has transition words, nouns, verbs, adjectives, word banks, transition words and a check list for them to use to be sure their story is complete.  The entire unit looks like this:

 

If you want the entire toolbox, click HERE to go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. 

 

Now, sometimes I do a simple writing activity where I ask students to list things on a given topic.  I've attached a writing activity here that asks students to list their top 10 favorite things about winter.  This is where brainstorming with the entire class can help those who may not have connections to draw from.  Make a big list of things we like about winter and then have students complete their writing.  Have students draw a picture after their list is finished.  This is a great activity to get your students thinking and it is a quick bulletin board idea.   Click HERE TO GET THE FREEBIE!

It looks like this:

 

 

Let me know what you think!

 

Now for the great stuff.....TPT is having a sale and so am I!!!!  My cart is loaded and read to go tomorrow.  The sale is Wednesday, January 20 and Thursday, January 21.  Don't forget to add the code START16 at checkout to get your discount of up to 28%!!!! 

 

Click HERE TO GET STARTED!!!!!

 

 

Happy Winter and Keep Writing!!!!

Sharon

 





Third Grade Math and Reading Freebie!

I hope everyone is rested and ready!  Tomorrow we are back at school!  I don't know how you start your day but my students have morning work every day. It is a short spiral review that covers math and reading and takes them about 10-12 minutes.  I have written morning work for the entire year for second grade.  This year I began writing morning work for third grade.  The morning work has been a great seller in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  The morning work is written by the month.  There are four days of work and the fifth day is a quiz.  The entire month can be copied and stapled together.  My students keep their morning work book in their desks and they get to work as soon as they put their book bags away.  I've included a sample of week 1 of January for third grade here for you to try out or if you don't teach third, please share with a third grade teacher friend!  To get your free week, click HERE!  You can see the entire unit for January in my Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking HERE!  If you download the freebies, please leave me some feedback!  I would love to hear from you!



If you need morning work for second grade, you can click HERE! 

Ok, get your rest because Monday Morning is coming!  Have a great one!

Sharon