Testing Idea # 2

Testing mode is here and is definitely staying for the next couple of weeks. My school goes up to 8^th grade and we are basically frozen till everyone is done with testing. To get out of these testing blue, I like to provide activity to my students that are engaging but yet serves as a release from the big test.

Now instead of caving in to give the kids free time, I like to do small activities where they still can have sort of a break. Yesterday activity was to write a note of encouragement to a friend. Today activity includes reading and writing poem.

Today we learned about two types of poems cinquain and acrostic poems. These two styles of poems are super for kids to explore and venture out with words. My students loved the idea and to my surprise eager to start. I also added in that after the poem is perfect they can type it in the computer. And this is where the crowd went wild!

Here is a recap of what we did…

#1: Review the difference between an Acrostic Poem and Cinquain Poem

click here to get this as a PDF file

#2: Show examples of both poems 

#3: Brainstorm and Write! 

Writing Crunch Time

These past couple of days the intensity of instruction has been at its highest! With just a couple of more days to go for state testing, these past couple of days we have practiced extremely hard those writing concepts and techniques that makes our writing blossom. As much as I have taught all those nitty gritty concepts there are still students in my class whose writing is still in the works. Explicit instruction with these small groups of kids has to be beyond productive.

To help those who are still struggling, I decided to color code the writing planners with the different section that their essay would need. After reviewing the part of the essay with them using colors, their little light bulb just lit up in their head. I felt such happiness and relief.  We are currently; in our second day of trying this out and am super excited with the results.

I would love to hear some feedback ont his download. I am currently in the words of  planning my writing units for next year and would love all the feedback possible.

I am linking up with Stephanie over at Falling Into First and her fabulous linky party. This week theme is share a teaching tip. Well what better way to share a writing tip with these great linky party. So head on over to Falling Into First and see other team teaching tip.