Write Write Baby

Students will identify character traits in 10 different passages from popular favorites like Harry Potter, Holes, and more. This download contains 10 excerpts and graphic organizers for identifying character traits. There are also two models/answer keys included to guide teacher in instruction. There is also a step-by-step guide to writing a paragraph with example paragraphs in the answer keys. There are plenty of passages for modeling, practice, remediation, and assessment.

This is a high interest essay topic including articles, videos, and writing workshop resources. Students examine the pros and cons of having pets in the classroom. They read various articles and watch videos to weigh the evidence. Then, over the course of 6-7 days, students plan, write, edit, revise and publish an essay. You could also later adapt the essay into a letter to the principal requesting a class pet, if desired.

I use this as a first week activity. Usually, I have students take this quiz and then go to a corner of the room to learn more about their learning style with a group. The group makes a poster to present to the class on their unique learning style.

This includes 8 weeks of the paragraph of the week packet. That means 8 different articles, 8 different homework assignments, and 8 times for students to practice to attain mastery.

Students read a chapter from the novel Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy. The story is about a nine year old girl with cancer who faces the cruel taunts of her classmates because she looks different. As students read, they highlight and partner share about examples of disrespect and respect. Following the reading, students brainstorm why respect is important in the classroom and how they can strive to be more respectful.

Students learn how to write a business letter in a very creative way-by writing fan letters to their favorite celebrities. This is one of the most remembered lessons in my class and creates high student engagement. It also teaches a very real life skill as business letters will be important ways for students to communicate in the adult world. I've included the powerpoint, a sample letter, the business letter format, and a celebrity address database.

This resource includes a week-long powerpoint which takes students through the persuasive writing process. Students RAFT a prompt, read the research (included articles), and write a 5 paragraph essay (rubric included for body paragraphs), to support their opinion on social networking. Social Networking Essay by Sheila Rowe is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

I have included excerpts from 5 popular books such as Tiger Rising and graphic organizers for students to identify characteristics of the setting. I've also attached directions and space for students to write a paragraph about setting in which they cite the text. There is one teacher model/answer key that already has the passage highlighted, graphic organizer completed, and paragraph written. Then you will follow the same method with other 4 passages.

This packet could be used as homework or as a daily do now or writing center. It has an assignment for each day of the week which guides students through writing a well-developed compare and contrast paragraph which cites the text. This is a great primer to use before an essay unit as it walks students through the foundational paragraph. I recommend using one as an in-class teacher model before assigning others as an independent assignment. Topic: Honeybees vs. Killer Bees

This resource takes the student through the persuasive writing process while examining the issue of whether or not youth sports are too intense for kids. The powerpoint guides students through RAFT'ing the promt and provides videos for the class to watch. The powerpoint also contains guidance through the generation of a 5 paragraph essay. There is also a microsoft word document with selected readings on the topic. Overall, a comprehensive writing resource. It is at least one week of lessons!

Students will learn the importance of word choice by learning how to use a student-friendly rubric to score student writing samples. This is a great lesson to use before or after teaching students descriptive writing. This unit includes the rubric, powerpoint, and student hand-outs. Everything you need to teach this lesson included. Can easily be updated to include writing samples from your own class, too as part of a mini-lesson later on for review.

As a teacher I always struggled to find quality multiple choice practice questions for the standard 6.RL.5 or structures of literary texts. This product contains two worksheets with over 30 practice questions related to this standard and it also spirals in theme. I've also added a powerpoint to help model questions before practice.

Students will choose a word that holds critical importance in their life, such as friendship. Then through a 5 paragraph essay, they will define the meaning of this word in their life, in a movie, and in a book. Powerpoint includes everything needed to brainstorm, write body paragraphs, intro/conclusion, edit, and publish. Takes approximately 1 week to complete.

Students will time travel back to Ancient Rome and learn about major destinations such as the Parthenon via powerpoint, video, and notes. Then, each student will choose their top three destinations and write about them in detail with a five paragraph essay. There is a guided packet which will walk everyone through this specific essay writing process including drafting, editing, and publishing. Whole unit takes about a 5 to 7 class days.

This powerpoint shows students that you are not born smart- you get smart by working hard. A guided notes section for students is attached, too. Great investment piece.

This is another resource which includes a powerpoint and the necessary research articles for students to write a persuasive essay about the driving age.

Students read two articles about the impact of technology on teen friendships and then follow a guided packet in order to create a four paragraph essay examining this issue in depth.

This packet could be used as homework or as a daily do now or writing center. It has an assignment for each day of the week which guides students through writing a well-developed compare and contrast paragraph which cites the text. This is a great primer to use before an essay unit as it walks students through the foundational paragraph. I recommend using one as an in-class teacher model before assigning others as an independent assignment. Topic: iPad vs. Kindle

Students read two magazine articles about invasive animals and then craft a problem solution essay. This includes the articles and an essay of the week packet in which students write the problem solution essay. Also included is the beginning of a class rough draft in response to the essay question (could be used as a model).

This packet could be used as homework or as a daily do now or writing center. It has an assignment for each day of the week which guides students through writing a well-developed problem and solution paragraph which cites the text. This is a great primer to use before an essay unit as it walks students through the foundational paragraph. I recommend using one as an in-class teacher model before assigning others as an independent assignment. Topic: Tigers in Cambodia