Transitions can get boring really easily… especially if kids only know one or two transitions for each purpose (introduce, sequence, etc.). Here’s my printable transitions poster. It can go on the wall in your classroom, or you can have students put one in their literacy journal. Enjoy!
Click here to view the printable poster: transitions list poster
One of the best ways to preserve memories is to write them down. Help your students preserve a fun summer time memory be encouraging them to write it down. Encourage them to focus on details that help make the story rich. Motivate your students by allowing them to share their written memory with you, the class or other students. Here’s the free printable worksheet that goes with this activity. There are 2 versions (one provides space for your kids to draw a picture, and the other doesn’t). Click the links below to see the PDF: Summer Memories- draw own picture or Summer Memories- with picture.
Yup, it’s finally here… SPRING BREAK! But it ends too soon and we’re back to work. But why not preserve fun Spring Break memories and give your students a chance to share their adventures with this easy, fun (and free!) printable!
Click here for the free PDF: Spring Break Write Up
Be sure to check out my first giveaway!
This picture was too cute not to use. So I turned it into a story starter for spring. Have your students review the parts of a story and then plan each part of their story (using the attached planning page) before they get to work on any of their drafts. Once they’ve had a peer edit it, and they’ve written their final draft, they can color the large version of the picture and display it with their final piece. Super fun, and super cute. What’s not to love!?
Click here for the free printable PDF: Spring Story Starter 1
Don’t forget to check back later this week for my first giveaway!
I can’t wait to try this idea! The prompt is a picture: a dog in a bath tub. Students should plan each part of the story (setting, characters, problem, solution) and then put together a rough draft. This will work nicely with a unit on parts of a story.
Click here to download the free printable PDF: Dog in a Bath Tub Story Starter
I love leprechauns! Those pesky little guys spark so much creativity in my students! Here’s a fun writing activity for you to try. The persuasive writing prompt is this: Convince a leprechaun to tell you where his pot of gold is. Kids come up with the funniest reasons! I usually take some time to review what makes a good persuasive writing piece. In addition, I let the kids read their piece to two friends before they turn it in. This also makes a great bulletin board if you’ve got one where people can stand and read what’s on it.
Click here for the free printable PDF: St. Patrick’s Day Persuasive Writing
I’ve found kids write better stories when they think about the parts of a story, plan them one at a time, and then put it together. This is exactly when my St Patrick’s Day story starters intended to go. I made two for my students to choose from. They use the picture as a spring board and then plan/write from there.
Click here for the free printable PDFs:
St Patrick’s Day Story Starter 1
St Patrick’s Day Story Starter 2
Want more story starters? Click here!
This idea was suggested to me by a 2nd grade teacher. She has her students glue handouts like into their literacy journals. This is my handout (2 per page, so cut in half before passing them out) for personal narratives. It will help your students get started and know some basic elements to include.
Click here for the free printable handout: Personal Narrative Notes for Literacy Journal
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