Photos for Personal Paragraphs

Photos for Personal ParagraphsKimberly J. Curtis2nd gradeNicholasville ElementaryEKU Writing Project 2011Best Practiceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8DaX2qOmtshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8DaX2qOmtsBest PracticeStudent centered teaching methods: visual cuesgets ideas flowingauthenticMethodsActive learning:Students solve problemsStudents answer questionsFormulate questions of their ownStudents discuss, explain, debate, or brainstormCooperative Learning:Students work in cooperative learning teams

Research

Miller, B. and Paola, S. (2005). Tell It Slant. New York: McGraw-Hill. Chapter 8Calkins, L. and Mermelstein, L. (2005) Launching the Writing workshop. Portsmouth: First Hand. Writing a Personal Paragraph using personal photographsAllows students to springboard into their writing.Many students enjoy writing while others have trouble. This activity can help trigger students imagination.

Examples:

Which picture would be better for writing your own personal paragraph?My Personal Paragraph

Brainstorm With your team brainstorm ideas that could be used to write a personal paragraph.SmellTasteSoundsVisualizingTouch

My Personal ParagraphAs a class write a personal paragraph together.Paragraph should contain: topic sentence, 3 supporting details, and a conclusion

ActivityWork with their elbow partner to brainstorm ideas about your photo.Partner 1 will begin brainstorming while partner 2 is writing down ideas. (5 minutes)Remember to use sensory details.Switch partners (5 minutes)

Writing Personal Paragraph

Students begin writing their personal paragraph.Remember to use your graphic organizer. TS1S2S3CStudents may share their personal paragraph.

RevisingAfter students have completed their paragraphs students will start editing and revising their paragraph.Mini-lessonsDetailsExpressionTransitionsSentence structure

Student Samples:Natural BridgeMy family and I went to Natural Bridge last summer. My mother and I rode the chair lift up to the top. I was nervous because I thought at any time the chair was going to fall. We were high up in the air. The lift would go fast then slow. When we got to the top I was relieved because we were finally off the lift.SoccerOne Tuesday I was playing a soccer game. I was nervous because it was my first time playing goalie. My coach said, Ashton you need to go be the goalie. I said, Ok! I went to the goal and I heard my mom yell out your gonna be great then thats when I got confident that I could catch a ball and I did catch the ball.SkiingOne summer day I was at a ski school in Louisiana and I was happy because I got up on the skis. Then I realized I was skiing around the lake. I said to myself, Just Focus! Pay attention and hold on tight!Next StepsWriting a memoirWriting fiction storyWriting nonfiction articlehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPWZ-7zIs3Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPWZ-7zIs3IThank you!!