Winter writing

I believe that in order to write, you need to have experience.  The students have been challenged to add more interesting words into their writing this month.  Each made a sock snowman, and then labelled a picture of a snowman.  Once they had twelve nouns, they were then asked to add an adjective (which describes a noun) to each one.  Using those ideas, they were to create 5 sentences.  They also learned what a simile is: a comparison of two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'

Here's an example:  The sled shot down the hill like a rocket.

His head was as round as a basketball.

We went a bit backwards with this story.  The students learned what a show globe was through discussion and example.

Each got to make their own little snow globe ( without the water) using a plastic cup, some yardstick, a small plastic farm animal, some plastic shrubbery, some cotton balls and some artificial snow.

They then imagined what it would be like to be inside a snow globe and wrote their ideas, thinking about what they would be doing inside, whether they would meet someone inside, how they would feel and whether they could get out.

They were encouraged to add interesting vocabulary, adjectives and similes.

It was only after the snow globe stories were complete that the catalyst story by Jane O'Connor was read!  The students are starting to make real progress in their ability to get their thoughts and ideas onto paper.  It takes work, but it is worth it!