Write Write Baby

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.

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 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!

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.

This is another guided paragraph of the week. It was made on Google Docs, but I downloaded as a docx, so should work on word of Docs. This product includes an article and a Mon-Fri packet that guides students through the writing process.

This document lists each component of a 6th grade writing course (could also apply to 5th, 7th, and 8th grade). It breaks writing concepts down for parents so they know how students will be assessed and what types of activities they can practice with their child at home.

This includes all the procedures you need for a classroom in the upper/midle grades. It defines responsibility, reliability, and respectfulness with concrete examples. It also includes a list of consequences and a detention notice.

This is the powerpoint (I made on Google Slides, so it should work on that platform, too) to accompany the text structure worksheets.

This document contains a link to a website I created to help students engage in a country research report. Students have links to investigate their country and create a virtual presentation to show knowledge.