So as I began to think about tackling the planning of year long writing for 3rd graders, I started to look for resources.
Resources.
Resources.
Resources.
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.AHHHH!
Let me tell you, I got overwhelmed, super quick! There are many many books about writing, the writing process, writing traits, writing prompts, writing assessment, in case you didn't know. There are 172 when you search for writing instructional books on Amazon. Like I said, OVERWHELMED.
So what's a second year, new grade level, new mommy teacher to do?
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Restart the planning. :)
I decided to start with the end in mind. I recently read the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. You can find it here. One of the habits is Begin With The End in Mind. Instead of trying to plan all the daily activities, I needed to decide what I wanted the kids to get out in the end. What were the big goals I had?
So what did I come up with? (I think I use the word so a lot...)
I chose 5 writing genres that I wanted the kids to put in a writing portfolio.
1. Narrative
2. Persuasive
3. Expository
4. Descriptive
5. Personal
So (there I do again...) I had my goals but I needed a little more... a little more something.
The next list isn't organized, it isn't pretty and neat. But is writing ever that way? Nah.. it's a messy process.
*understand the flexibility of the writing process
*develop skills using the writing traits
*appreciate conferencing with peers
*positive attitude toward writing
*positive experience toward sharing their writing
These are goals that I think will help my kids appreciate writing more, which is the BIG BIG GOAL in the end, right.
So (okay, I totally typed this, then erased it, then decided to leave it...) there's the beginning of the planning process.
As writing has the prewriting step, I think planning a writing curriculum does as well... now on to working on the first unit... Narrative
