Kelsey's Corner

Included is general rules and expectations about class, then the back includes specific details pertaining to the yearbook elective. The back page has a box for a signature. Note: The thumbnails show 3 pages, but the file should only be 2. Sometimes things get tweaked with formatting.

Includes goals, rules, consequences, class details and technology agreement. A signature box is included on the back page.

This document is a template designed to be used in Google Classroom. It could be adapted to print if you were to make the chart boxes bigger. Currently the template has space for 10 words, but again, this can be adapted and changed to meet your needs. How I use this template is that I will pre-fill the words in the word column. Then I will post this as an assignment on google classroom. I use this same template for each story we read. Sometimes I also require students to choose their own words.

This PowerPoint is an overview of the 3 types of writing within common core: narrative, argumentative, and informative. There is an informational slide for each type of writing which includes the definition, characteristics and format. There is also a visual graphic organizer to represent each of the three types of writing. Each type of writing also includes the standards and the rubric for grading. This is geared toward 8th grade CA Common Core standards, but could easily be adapted.

This PowerPoint goes over fragment sentences, run-on sentences and how to identify both. It also addresses how to fix them. There is a reference to watching a BrainPop video, which our school has a license for, but if you don't have that, you can just delete that slide. This lesson is set up with a preview (the BrainPop), direct instruction (notes) and guided practice (M.C. questions). This PowerPoint would lead nicely into independent practice, either a worksheet or writing assignment.

This PowerPoint looks at two aspects of revising writing: using consistent verb tenses, and making a logical connection between ideas. For each concept there are notes and practice questions with a summary slide at the end. The last slide has an optional activity where students can create their own examples using the concepts from their notes.

When do you use "Us" and when do you use "We"? This PowerPoint goes over the concept of us and we. There is a section for notes, several slides for guided practice, and a slide for summary. I created the PowerPoint with Cornell style notes in mind. The final assignment was a grammar worksheet (not included because it's copyrighted).

Very short notes on protagonists and antagonists. Basically just the term and definition. Then, several following slides for guided practice. followed by a summary comparing the two. This PowerPoint would work for a quick review of the terms or as a short introduction before reading.

I use this to introduce argument writing to students. The PowerPoint includes: overview of argument writing (based on CCSS), thesis, counter-argument, writing process, and outline. This lesson is geared to 8th grade Language Arts, but could be adapted to 7th and 9/10th because the CCSS are very similar.

Used for when you are reading informational text. There is a section for pre-reading, pulling relevant quotes, defining unknown words, and post-reading. This form works well whole class, in groups or independently. I find that students need a lot of structure when reading informative text, and this form gives them that.

Short powerpoint that overviews the three genres of writing with common core: informative, argumentative and narrative. This would be good for an initial introduction to the three areas of writing. The notes take only about 15 minutes at most.

When students are finished writing an essay, this is a tool they can use to make sure they have everything they need for their essay. It includes a self-editing sheet for informative, argument and narrative writing. Also, as an extra bonus, this tool helps teachers grade the essay because it will be color coded for your convenience. Student will underline thesis, transitions, evidence and so on. You can add and modify with more specific details to meet your writing prompt.

Evidence chart. Could be used as a pre-writing activity. There is a place for writing the evidence, citing the source, then explaining how the quote relates to the essential question. I originally designed this for google classroom as a google doc and have modified it for pencil and paper.

This rubric is a condensed version of the CAASP rubric. The categories and bullet points align with the format on the end of the year state test.

Using evidence to write a paragraph. Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explain, etc. Could work as a class handout. With common core and a push for writing across the curriculum, this structure works well to help students formulate their short constructed responses. This is especially beneficial for students who struggle with writing.

This is the presentation I use for Back to School Night. It can be overwhelming figuring out what to say to parents. Of course, you will need to update/adjust the slides to fit with your class, but this is a great place to start if you are stuck. My presentation covers: assignments, procedures, rules, consequences, contact info and a student tour. Let the parents know that you love your job and love their students! That's what really matters at back to school night!

There are a lot of great graphic organizers for vocabulary, but I really am sold on this one. It includes a space for: part of speech, definition, sentence, picture and a connect. Brain research shows that students cannot learn new information unless they connect it to previous knowledge - thus the section for students to write their connection to the word. Many teachers at my site love this template. It has room for 10 words, front and back.

I use these reading strategies when marking up non-fiction or fiction text. Avid highlights, "Connect, Clarify, Respond, Visualize, Question and Summarize" but sometimes students still get lost. I created these sentence starters to point them toward a good response. This is especially helpful for scaffolding for lower students. Although I use this for 8th grade, I think it would be applicable with any grade that teaches Avid reading strategies.

Use this for students to get to know one another. Group students in groups of 2-4. Give each group a game card and a pair of dice. Students take turn rolling dice and answering questions. They can write the answers on the paper or just talk and get to know each other. You can have the students share out what they learned about their classmates. There are many ways to use this resource. The way I used it was to split my class into groups of 4 and give everyone a copy of the questions. Each gr

Writing to Inform Lecture - Top 5 tips. Explores the genre of informative writing, both good and bad. Each slide gives examples of what to do and what not to do. Can be used as a lesson right before students create an informative brochure, flyer or essay.