Writing Centers

On Sale Now...

 

 

This set of 4 Upper Elementary Writing Centers is now on sale.   Writing is always tricky in the upper elementary and middle school grades because students often see it as a daunting task.  These centers are fun, differentitated, and engaging.  Each of them comes with a pre-writing organizer and a rubric.  There are even several pages of decorative writing paper included. 

 

Centers included are:

- Are You Kidding Me?  (based on the activity Would You Rather...)

- R.A.F.T.

- Let Me Help You With That

- Picture Prompts

 

I have used them as whole class and intervention activities also.  Click below to preview the set.  Enjoy!

 



Writing Center: Would You Rather...?

I have to admit that I really didn't do much with literacy centers until about 5 years ago.  Up until then, it was something that always seemed more "primary" than "intermediate" elementary. 

BOY WAS I WRONG!!!!  Centers are what keep me sane (minus the planning and organizing of them).  My students love them, and they have really helped to keep my students engaged, on task, and have allowed them to really take a concept that we have learned and expand it.

So, I created some writing centers.  The one that I'd like to share today is called "Are You Kidding Me?"  It's based off of the game Would You Rather?

I created some of my own Would You Rather Cards and even bought the card game.  I laminated them, cute them out and out them in a tin can,.  Easy so far....

Then came the more difficult part- what do I want the outcome to be for my students?

I developed a planner/organizer in which students have to choose which item they would rather do (for example- Would you rather wear boots all summer or sandals all winter?).  They have to write down their choice and think of three reasons why they chose this.  Then, they have to list three details to defend each reason.  So, it became an expository/persuasive type or writing.  I created and gave them a rubric so they could do the next step- the official writing!

This is what amazed me.  I was so shocked at the increadible writing that they did.  Some used humor, some were extremely serioius, and some were a combination of both.  They were so fun to read a share with each other. 

So, I am now trying this with only 6 days left of school, and becuase of the timing I have to spruce it up a bit.  Today, students paired up, and went through the cards until they found one that they disagreed on.  Then, they started their organizers.  We will start the writing tomorrow with the editing and final copies to follow next week.  The new part of the assignment is that they will have to convince the rest of the class that their opinion is the more desireable one.  They will present their writing to the class, and the students will vote for which person convinced them the most.  This is definitely more persuasive writing than expository.  I'm excited to see how it turns out.  They could't stay quiet today becuase they kept telling each other why their choice was better. 

If you'd like to check out these materials, click here.

Click here to preview an entire set of writing centers.



Upper Elementary Writing Centers with Rubrics, Organizer, and Writing Paper

Literature Circles

One of my favorite activities to do with my students is literature circles.  I think it's because they love them so much.  It wasn't always like this for me.  Why?????  Well that's because it used to seem like a daunting task.  With literature circles, it's all about student generated discussions to foster deep understanding of the text.  It's very difficult to get students to be able to discuss among themselves.  So, I spent a lot of time several years thinking about different learning styles and Bloom's Taxonomy to develop activities, games, and journal pages for students to use in literature circles.  Now, with some training, students are able to run their own groups while having powerful discussions in which they learn so much from one another.  Below are some of the materials that I use and some pictures some AWESOME fifth graders working on the activities.  Click on any of the materials (or this link) to get them for yourself!



Cameron & Zolin work on
the Acrostic Poem for
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

 

Kat & Manuel work on the Party Invitation
for
The Mouse and the Motorcycle.



Nayeli and Melissa work on the
Party Invitation for
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Emely and Jessie work on the
Acrostic Poem and Party Invitation
for Someone Named Eva.

Everardo, Adriana, and Odalys work on
the Character Interview Activity
for Homer Price.

Camila and Alyssa work on the
Word Search Activity for
Homer Price.



       

Jaylynn works on the Word Search
for Someone Named Eva.



Get These Materials for Yourself
 

Literature Circle Bundle with all Literature Circle Materials



 



Character Map Activity

Acrostic Poem Activity



 

Book Recommendation Activity



Word Search Activity

 

Illustration Summary Activity

 

 

Literature Circle Activity Rubric

 

Literature Circle Job/Role Cards

Literature Circle Question Cards

Literature Circle Journal Cover

Literature Circle Journal Pages

Literature Circle Student Evaluation Form

Deal of the Day

One of my favorite things in life (other than teaching) is finding an amazing deal.  So, I'd like to share the love...

Each day, I will feature a Deal of the Day from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  It'll be on the right side of this blog and will always have a picture that will link to the product.  If there's anything that you'd like to see as a deal of the day from my store, let me know, and I'll try to get it into the rotation. 

If there's anything you see that you have a question about, please send me an email. 

Thanks!