Personal Narrative Anyone?

Prior to spring break, our little firsties were writing personal narratives.  I'm not going to lie to you..... they are NOT my favorite writing piece to teach.  I'd much rather teach something like nonfiction, how-to, opinion, something that has more structure. A writing piece that is more straightforward.

After a one year hiatus from personal narratives, I decided to add them back in.  This time was different though.  They were moved to a different time of year AND we only used Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (all three of them).  This year was also different because we used the nesting dolls to talk about how we have our big events, BUT..... those big events are full of smaller ones.

I tried and tried to get this across.  I'm not going to lie, I still have kiddos who can't get down to that one little event.  They are stuck in the big.  No matter what I say, no matter how we whittle it down, their little brains can't handle only talking about the small event.  This year, this time around.... I'm ok with it.


We worked on adding details to our sentences.  Again, I had a few risk takers, some just aren't there yet, again... it's ok.

Then, we talked about catchy leads and interesting closures. I had a few takers on each of these.  This little firsties had a terribly boring lead, but this is what she wrote after we had conferences.

Our personal narratives are finished, except we're publishing them.  I wanted to be finished before we left, but things happen, so we will finish that part up during writers workshop when we return.  I have the task of grading these precious little stories over spring break.  I have to laugh because near the beginning of our blogging career, I pinned a "Small Moments" rubric.  Each time I see it repinned, I just crack up because it is HORRIBLE!  I mean at the time I was like... "I'm awesome", but right now am so embarrassed by it I just want email the person who pins it to let them know I'm much better now!  And so you don't have to pin that horrible rubric, you can pin this one!  :)  It's MUCH better.  It's totally aligned with the common core standards and I love it!  It makes my grading life so.much.easier! And it's yours, just click on the rubric below!!!!

Happy Spring Break Friends!!!!

5 for Spring Break

This was my spring break week.  The first day started off with snow.  This is Ohio, so we accept that.  But what was I going to do with my girls all week long...inside?
Here are my 5 random thoughts about this week.

1. I started getting some birthday party items ready.  My youngest is turning 3.  What!!!  She is having a Pee Wee party.  So we turned some bow ties into hair bows.

2. Maria's girls came over and we had a cupcake decorating party.

3. Fancy Nancy ideas have started to really flow this week.  Maria and I have been texting back and forth all week with ideas.  We have been gathering books.  (Note: there are some Henry and Mudge books we plan to use because they have the same theme and we want to grab the boy's attention, as well).

4. We have also started to gather materials to help the students make a fancy version of themselves.  Once they create their "fancy" or "handsome" portrait, they will use Melissa and Doug frames.

5. Grading in writing has always been a struggle for me.  Finding just the right balance between mechanics, neatness, and content has been a little tricky.  But I think these challenges are what makes our profession fun.  So I started working on the student checklist and rubric for this Fancy Nancy Unit.  Here is what I have come up with.  If you like, just click on the image for your copy.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
Em

Five for a "Researchy" Friday

Happy Friday everyone!  I missed my Five for Friday last week :(  It is one of my favorite things about the week.  So I am happy to be linking up again.

 So #1 for this week has got to be SPRING BREAK! I can't believe it!  The year is rounding the corner to the end and it has gone so fast.  Oh...and FYI...we are suppose to have a huge snow storm this weekend.

Alright...#2 is pizza.  Natalie and I have been working on fractions for the past couple of weeks.  We have had a lot of fun.  Our firsties broke cookies into fractions, make a fraction quilt, and (of course) some pizza.

#3 is for research.  Maria and I have been working on animal research reports for the past couple of weeks and it came to an end today with a celebration!  Parents, second graders, and kindergarteners walked around to our three classrooms and got to hear the research reports.  WOW!  They did a great job! Check out some of the work...

 #4 is research assessment.  We are learning about writing assessment as we go.  It is a constant learning.  Here is the student checklist and rubric that we used for this project.  Click below picture for your copy.

Click Here

Fonts: Type Key by Typadelic and Cinnamon Cake by Brittany Murphy.
#5 is next up...Fancy Nancy.  What The Teacher Wants posted about Fancy words and we got inspired.  After Spring Break, we will begin talking "fancy."  It will also connect to our "Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper's House" that we will be reading.  Students will be writing a "how-to" and may have the opportunity to celebrate some fanciness at the end of our unit!

Happy Weekend Everyone!
Em

Small Moments Rubrics.....

We have been working on small moments stories for quite a few weeks.  I can't even remember if I posted about it before.  argh!  Anyhoo, a few weeks back I had my firsties bring in 3-4 items that reminded them of a small moment in their life.  For example, I brought a little brown envelope, like the ones the kids get when their teeth fall out.  Every time I see one of these little guys, it takes me back to losing my first tooth.  Imagine this.....  I was in Mrs. Miller's second grade classroom. I remember sitting in my chair, biting on my blue, button down sweater when my tooth came out!!!!!  Of course I was sent to the nurse and given one of those little brown envelopes.  Each time I see one... takes me back. 

Thanks to that great experience, I can no longer wear certain types of sweaters or certain types of fleece.  oohhh.. gives me shivers just thinking about it.  It's also necessary to keep lotion close for my hands.  :)  All these little quirks that make me, me. 

So, for the last week or so we have been focusing on "enhancing" our writing.  Using adjectives, adding sentences, deleting sentences, adding pictures that can include labels, working on a title, whew!  We have just been working those writing pieces to the bone!  We are now ready to use our "Writer's Eye's" to make our final revisions.  I made this checklist for my firsties to use tomorrow.  I will have to come back with details later about how it went.  What do you think about it?????

Click HERE to get your FREEBIE!

I also made this rubric for grading.  I'm NOT the rubric queen like my Curious Friend Karen, so I'm not sure if I like it yet.   Let me know what you think. 

Click HERE to get your RUBRIC FREEBIE! :)

How do you use rubrics???  Do you have any great ones to share or sites you get them from????  I'd LOVE to know!!!  :)

Have a Curious Wednesday!  It's picture day for us!