Lesson Plan Database & More.
Go to this site: Heartland AEA 11 You'll find the database link at the bottom of the page!
This is a rich resource folks. Consider bookmarking it for later reference.
~Dennis@San Diego
January 28, 2007
6-Traits Lesson Plan Database
January 25, 2007
Search Engine for 6-Traits Writing
I've been seeing a lot of search activity on the personalized 6-Traits search engine I set up at: http://six-traits-search-swicki.eurekster.com/
It's gratifying to know this tool is getting some use. I just spent 15 minutes 'training' the system. I added a few new terms to the 'Tag Cloud' of suggested keywords. Then I went through and removed weak results for the keywords 'conventions' and 'voice'. The idea is to tune the system to only retrieve results relevant to writing!
This search engine is build on the Eurekster server. Eurekster provides 'community powered' search. Users can promote or tag a good site, suggest keywords, and add new target resources.
Ultimately, the idea is to provide rich resources just a quick search away.
Drop by and give it a whirl! 6traits Search Swicki.
It's gratifying to know this tool is getting some use. I just spent 15 minutes 'training' the system. I added a few new terms to the 'Tag Cloud' of suggested keywords. Then I went through and removed weak results for the keywords 'conventions' and 'voice'. The idea is to tune the system to only retrieve results relevant to writing!
This search engine is build on the Eurekster server. Eurekster provides 'community powered' search. Users can promote or tag a good site, suggest keywords, and add new target resources.
Ultimately, the idea is to provide rich resources just a quick search away.
Drop by and give it a whirl! 6traits Search Swicki.
January 18, 2007
Full Book: Free Online
Teaching Adolescent Writers
http://www.stenhouse.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=9032&r=sb070117
Right the writing wrongs in your secondary classroom! In his new book Teaching Adolescent Writers Kelly Gallagher shares instructional strategies that focus on six key needs: ample practice, teacher modeling, reading great writers, topic choice, authentic purposes, and meaningful feedback. Click here to browse the entire book online!
Stenhouse Publishers Professional Development Materials feature PDF versions of the book. Sometimes the just the first chapter. Sometimes the entire book. This one is a full book. Worth skimming to say the least!
http://www.stenhouse.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=9032&r=sb070117
Right the writing wrongs in your secondary classroom! In his new book Teaching Adolescent Writers Kelly Gallagher shares instructional strategies that focus on six key needs: ample practice, teacher modeling, reading great writers, topic choice, authentic purposes, and meaningful feedback. Click here to browse the entire book online!
Stenhouse Publishers Professional Development Materials feature PDF versions of the book. Sometimes the just the first chapter. Sometimes the entire book. This one is a full book. Worth skimming to say the least!
January 15, 2007
6 Traits Sentence Fluency: Listen for it!
The key to teaching the trait of sentence fluency is to let the ears of your students develop the concepts of cadence and rhythm. There's no better way to do this than to listen to a wide variety of literature read aloud. Serendipity brought my attention to some fine new online resources that will help us all learn to listen!
Mary Lee, a wonderful teacher at the Taipei American School translated the ideogram on the top of this page as Listen or Hear. This symbol is especially appropriate for the trait of sentence fluency. (Thank you Mary!)
For over 10 years, the Lannan Foundation produced and donated full-length video programs featuring major poets and writers from around the world reading and discussing their work to libraries, schools, universities, etc. The Lannan Foundation website has a audio archive of the titles in addition to many new files from the many literary and cultural events hosted by the Foundation:
The Lannan Foundation is also podcasting the current Readings & Conversation events as well as past events,with new shows each week. This podcast archive is hosted on iTunes and available as free downloads in MP3 format.
There are great materials here folks!
~ den
Mary Lee, a wonderful teacher at the Taipei American School translated the ideogram on the top of this page as Listen or Hear. This symbol is especially appropriate for the trait of sentence fluency. (Thank you Mary!)
For over 10 years, the Lannan Foundation produced and donated full-length video programs featuring major poets and writers from around the world reading and discussing their work to libraries, schools, universities, etc. The Lannan Foundation website has a audio archive of the titles in addition to many new files from the many literary and cultural events hosted by the Foundation:
The Lannan Foundation is also podcasting the current Readings & Conversation events as well as past events,with new shows each week. This podcast archive is hosted on iTunes and available as free downloads in MP3 format.
There are great materials here folks!
~ den
January 13, 2007
6-Traits Online: Starts January 29, 2007
There's still time to register for my online class. I've been teaching this course for 5 years and I always learn something new each session. If you'd like to see some of my free online materials visit my website Wiredinstructor.net.
Class Full! Next class:
June 18 - August 12, 2007
Register Now!
Learn to teach and assess writing with the 6-Traits of writing (voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions). Learn to use the 6-Traits with the writing process to teach revision strategies. Help learners meet higher standards and improve test scores.
Friends classes are forming now! Please pass along this information to your colleagues!
Class Full! Next class:
June 18 - August 12, 2007
Register Now!
Learn to teach and assess writing with the 6-Traits of writing (voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions). Learn to use the 6-Traits with the writing process to teach revision strategies. Help learners meet higher standards and improve test scores.
- EDUC 744 920 - Elementary (Gr. K-4) - 3 cr. begins June 18, 2007
- EDUC 744 909 - Middle/High School (Gr. 5-12) - 3 cr. begins June 18, 2007
Friends classes are forming now! Please pass along this information to your colleagues!
January 7, 2007
Boy Writers!
More fine professional development resources from Stenhouse Publishers.
How can we create writing classrooms that are friendlier to boys? In his new book Boy Writers, Ralph Fletcher explores how to give boys more choices and how to engage them in classroom discussions. He tackles difficult issues such as gender differences, violence and humor, edgy language, and handwriting. Click here to browse the entire book!
From their site:
In Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices Ralph Fletcher draws upon his years of experience as staff developer, children's book author, and father of four boys. He also taps the insights from dozens of writing teachers around the US and abroad. Boy Writers asks teachers to imagine the writing classroom from a boy's perspective, and consider specific steps we might take to create stimulating classrooms for boys.
How can we create writing classrooms that are friendlier to boys? In his new book Boy Writers, Ralph Fletcher explores how to give boys more choices and how to engage them in classroom discussions. He tackles difficult issues such as gender differences, violence and humor, edgy language, and handwriting. Click here to browse the entire book!
From their site:
In Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices Ralph Fletcher draws upon his years of experience as staff developer, children's book author, and father of four boys. He also taps the insights from dozens of writing teachers around the US and abroad. Boy Writers asks teachers to imagine the writing classroom from a boy's perspective, and consider specific steps we might take to create stimulating classrooms for boys.
Topic choice emerges as a crucial issue. The subjects many boys like to write about (war, weapons, outlandish fiction, zany or bathroom humor) often do not get a warm reception from teachers. Ralph argues that we must “widen the circle” and give boys more choice if we want to engage them as writers. How? We must begin by recognizing boys and the world in which they live. Boy Writers explores important questions such as:
- What subjects are boy writers passionate about, and what motivates them as writers?
- Why do boys like to incorporate violence into their stories, and how much should be allowed?
- Why do we so often misread and misunderstand the humor boys include in their stories?
January 6, 2007
6-Traits Search Engine
Search and you will find! 8-)
I created this personalized search engine focused on 6-trait topics. Give it a whirl! You'll find a lot of materials quickly and easily. Just click on any tag in the tag cloud for a targeted search!
http://six-traits-search-swicki.eurekster.com/
Enjoy,
~D@San Marcos
I created this personalized search engine focused on 6-trait topics. Give it a whirl! You'll find a lot of materials quickly and easily. Just click on any tag in the tag cloud for a targeted search!
http://six-traits-search-swicki.eurekster.com/
Enjoy,
~D@San Marcos
Write in the Middle: A workshop for middle school teachers
Free Resources or Take a course for credit
This video workshop from Annenberg Media, helps middle school teachers learn effective practices and strategies for writing instruction. All of the course materials and videos are online and available for free. You can use the contents of the class without formally registering for the class.
From the website:
"Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers is an eight-part professional development workshop designed to help teachers learn effective practices and strategies to use with middle school students in writing instruction. Through classroom footage of excellent teachers modeling successful strategies and interviews with teachers, students, and nationally recognized experts about the writing process, workshop participants will learn ways to create a positive and productive writing environment for young adolescents."
Free online videos are available:
8 video workshop topics include:
This video workshop from Annenberg Media, helps middle school teachers learn effective practices and strategies for writing instruction. All of the course materials and videos are online and available for free. You can use the contents of the class without formally registering for the class.
From the website:
"Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers is an eight-part professional development workshop designed to help teachers learn effective practices and strategies to use with middle school students in writing instruction. Through classroom footage of excellent teachers modeling successful strategies and interviews with teachers, students, and nationally recognized experts about the writing process, workshop participants will learn ways to create a positive and productive writing environment for young adolescents."
Free online videos are available:
8 video workshop topics include:
- Workshop 1. Creating a Community of Writers
- Workshop 2. Making Writing Meaningful
- Workshop 3. Teaching Poetry
- Workshop 4. Teaching Persuasive Writing
- Workshop 5. Teaching Multigenre Writing
- Workshop 6. Responding to Writing: Teacher to Student
- Workshop 7. Responding to Writing: Peer to Peer
- Workshop 8. Teaching the Power of Revision
Annenberg Media: Writing Communities
From Annenberg Media:
"Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect/january/iwc1.html >
This is an incredibly rich resource for professional development. The online video and course materials are free and available online; all you do is register. You'll find a complete, in-depth course of study here for free.
By participating in a formal teleclass/e-learning course you can also complete the materials for graduate credit. Materials are available on dvd and videotape as well.
"Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5" is a video workshop that uses classroom footage to demonstrate the effectiveness of a writing workshop approach with upper elementary students. Ten teachers from across the country model and discuss teaching strategies, while nationally known experts in writing instruction comment on the research and theory behind the strategies being used. The workshop is produced by Kentucky Educational Television, which also produced "Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers" and "Signature: Contemporary Writers."
On the Inside Writing Communities Web site
<"http://learner.org/redirect/january/iwc2.html >, find links to Video on
Demand, a downloadable Workshop Guide in PDF format, interactive
activities, and more.
"Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5" <http://learner.org/redirect
This is an incredibly rich resource for professional development. The online video and course materials are free and available online; all you do is register. You'll find a complete, in-depth course of study here for free.
By participating in a formal teleclass/e-learning course you can also complete the materials for graduate credit. Materials are available on dvd and videotape as well.
"Inside Writing Communities: Grades 3-5" is a video workshop that uses classroom footage to demonstrate the effectiveness of a writing workshop approach with upper elementary students. Ten teachers from across the country model and discuss teaching strategies, while nationally known experts in writing instruction comment on the research and theory behind the strategies being used. The workshop is produced by Kentucky Educational Television, which also produced "Write in the Middle: A Workshop for Middle School Teachers" and "Signature: Contemporary Writers."
On the Inside Writing Communities Web site
<"http://learner.org/redirect
Demand, a downloadable Workshop Guide in PDF format, interactive
activities, and more.
January 5, 2007
Expanding Writing's Role in Learning
Expanding Writing's Role in Learning
Rick Allen discusses the importance of building a community of writing teachers like that found in the National Writing Project.
This quote from the National Commission on Writing in America's Schools and Colleges caught my attention:
"As a nation we can barely begin to imagine how powerful K-16 education might be if writing were put in its proper focus. Facility with writing opens students up to the pleasure of exercising their minds in ways that grinding on facts, details, and information never will. More than a way of knowing, writing is an act of discovery."
I'm a dedicated ed-tech believer... mainly because writing with technology (and all it implies) seems to me to be the best path to critical thinking and discovery. I think you'll find Allen's article thought provoking.
Rick Allen discusses the importance of building a community of writing teachers like that found in the National Writing Project.
This quote from the National Commission on Writing in America's Schools and Colleges caught my attention:
"As a nation we can barely begin to imagine how powerful K-16 education might be if writing were put in its proper focus. Facility with writing opens students up to the pleasure of exercising their minds in ways that grinding on facts, details, and information never will. More than a way of knowing, writing is an act of discovery."
I'm a dedicated ed-tech believer... mainly because writing with technology (and all it implies) seems to me to be the best path to critical thinking and discovery. I think you'll find Allen's article thought provoking.
The Writing Process
Cleveland State University has a detailed site that illustrates all levels of the writing process. This is a good resource for High School and College writers. I like their writing process diagram!
They break the down the details into the following categories:
Invention
Critical Reading
Thesis
Organization
Paragraphing
Word-Processing
Revision
Documentation
Proofreading
Included you'll find good advice about all the important modes of writing.
Give the Writing Center a visit!
~D
They break the down the details into the following categories:
Invention
Critical Reading
Thesis
Organization
Paragraphing
Word-Processing
Revision
Documentation
Proofreading
Included you'll find good advice about all the important modes of writing.
Give the Writing Center a visit!
~D
January 4, 2007
Great Books about Writing
I love books. I can't throw one away.
I've got more books than wall space, which means far too many of my friends are still in boxes and stacked in storage. (Just thought of my vintage poetry collection... William Carlos Williams, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Patchen, Tobie Lurie, Richard Wright, Allen Ginzberg, Robert Service, I've got to un-earth them!)
My writing bookshelf (and my e-learning texts) are unpacked and at hand. Still there are so many fine volumes I'd love to lay a hand on. Here's my virtual shelf of top picks for writing instruction. If you don't find your favorite writer's book on my list, drop me a comment and and share it with everyone!
The Perfect E-Book
I'm hoping that the perfect e-book reading system will evolve in the next few years. How about a system that compensates for near-sightedness, with adjustable text that hovers in space at just the right distance before my eyes. (No more holding heavy books!) The system would be hyper-texted to connect you to... everything! Some day!
For now, we can page through some of the great books of all time... online. Sketches by Leonardo, Mozart's Musical Diary (with audio clips) and the original Alice in Wonderland are on the top shelf. Here's a link to the British Museum's Turning the Pages: 15 great books you can examine from the comfort of your browser! (You will need the latest free Shockwave player and a high-speed connection to enjoy this site. It's fascinating!)
~ D@SanMarcos
I've got more books than wall space, which means far too many of my friends are still in boxes and stacked in storage. (Just thought of my vintage poetry collection... William Carlos Williams, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Patchen, Tobie Lurie, Richard Wright, Allen Ginzberg, Robert Service, I've got to un-earth them!)
My writing bookshelf (and my e-learning texts) are unpacked and at hand. Still there are so many fine volumes I'd love to lay a hand on. Here's my virtual shelf of top picks for writing instruction. If you don't find your favorite writer's book on my list, drop me a comment and and share it with everyone!
The Perfect E-Book
I'm hoping that the perfect e-book reading system will evolve in the next few years. How about a system that compensates for near-sightedness, with adjustable text that hovers in space at just the right distance before my eyes. (No more holding heavy books!) The system would be hyper-texted to connect you to... everything! Some day!
For now, we can page through some of the great books of all time... online. Sketches by Leonardo, Mozart's Musical Diary (with audio clips) and the original Alice in Wonderland are on the top shelf. Here's a link to the British Museum's Turning the Pages: 15 great books you can examine from the comfort of your browser! (You will need the latest free Shockwave player and a high-speed connection to enjoy this site. It's fascinating!)
~ D@SanMarcos
Free Book Preview: K-2 ESL Writers
Here's another free online preview of an interesting writing text:
Stenhouse Publishers - "The Words Came Down!": English Language Learners Read, Write, and Talk Across the Curriculum, K-2As I've learned when working with K-3 Teachers in my UW-Stout Online class, the traits work for pre-literate kids when we're able to teach the concepts of each trait. This book should yield some good ideas for our Ell, Esl learners. (You can see the whole book in PDF format!)
(del.icio.us tags: writing reading esl)
Free Access to Online Text
Stenhouse Publishers - Teaching Adolescent Writers:
Right the writing wrongs in your secondary classroom! In his new book Teaching Adolescent Writers, Kelly Gallagher shares instructional strategies that focus on key needs: ample practice, teacher modeling, reading great writers, topic choice...
This free online book preview will help you:
I'm a big fan of free previews. Those of you looking for ideas about teaching writing should check this out.
Den
Online Class: Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits
Learn to teach and assess writing with the 6-Traits of writing (voice, ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency and conventions). Learn to use the 6-Traits with the writing process to teach revision strategies. Help learners meet higher standards and improve test scores.
Friends classes are forming now! Please pass along this information to your colleagues!
- EDUC 744 920 - Elementary (Gr. K-4) - 3 cr. begins January 29, 2007
- EDUC 744 909 - Middle/High School (Gr. 5-12) - 3 cr. begins January 29, 2007
- EDUC 744 920 - Elementary (Gr. K-4) - 3 cr. begins June 18, 2007
- EDUC 744 909 - Middle/High School (Gr. 5-12) - 3 cr. begins June 18, 2007
Friends classes are forming now! Please pass along this information to your colleagues!
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