MS3+Activities+and+Resources

- quick writes - filling out applications for jobs; within the classroom or outside work - for permission - to persuade the teacher/administrator to make school changes - newspaper - after school club - Spoon River Anthology; make a classroom set - short stories - ABC books for kids
 * Activities**
 * How do we get them to want to write**?

- Brainstorming - Editing student writing on the overhead - Pre-assessment
 * Foundations to think of before approaching writing instruction**?

- What is important to students; survey - Children's stories - Advice to the lovelorn - Things you've learned about life (Life Lessons) - Thank you notes
 * What are creative topics for students**?

- Explore online resources provided by the Holt book company
 * How can the instructor integrate the new book selection with a Challenging project**?

- Creating a fairy tale as a group project; artist, writer, editor, - Peer editing Class poem; everyone write a verse
 * How can writing be a part of cooperative learning**?

- Ongoing
 * How long should this project take**?

- Focus vocabulary from anthology - Word wall - Using 7th grade affixes and roots
 * How do you teach spelling in middle school**?

- Reading and writing should be given **//almost//** equivalent time - Writing supports reading instruction - Make sure writing is connected to what is in reading (major themes and concepts, not just what you read today) - Be sure to include silent reading time within your lesson plan framework
 * What ratio of time should be spent with reading/writing/discussing**?

- Access to Holt online student writing assessment that are graded within minutes - Rubrics (some rubrics are elaborated for specific writing traits)
 * How do we assess student growth using ACT and USD 500 standards and question format?**

- Spoon River Anthology by E.L. Masters - "The Dead Girl" by Guy M. . .. . - Obituary column in newspaper - Picture books - Student input - Actual job applications - Driver's manual - Holt text book (Online direct assessing and writing workshop included in textbook at the end of each unit) - Lead teacher - On-line writing assistance from Holt Book Company - Writing webquests - Kim's Korner (web site) [|www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com] - ACT questions found on the Internet and in sample books - EXPLORE web site that provides sample questions - computer spelling and grammar check - ePals (used as a writing communication and collabarative blog) can be used as large group, whole class or small group - Holt Six Traits for Writing - Holt differentiated supported reading and writing (adaptive, ELL, and grade level)
 * Resources**