What does poetry have to do with STAAR expository writing? Plenty! It’s like a crash course for reaching a reader, and we’ll give you the tools.
It’s crunch time for STAAR, and if you’re feeling stressed about STAAR expository writing, the February poetry workshops will be a huge help. Would you believe one of the poems has a structure that’s the 11-minute-essay? It does!
And when students add personification, metaphor, and images to their essays, the scorers see clear author’s craft. The poems bring you short, doable lessons that deliver these craft moves for students to make.
Meanwhile, we have a few lovely offerings from teachers included below. Nicole Morales answers the question, “What do I do first in the nursery rhyme lessons — reading or writing? How do those fit?” She shared with us a great chart of possible sequences, and we’re sharing that with you.
There’s also a great truism anchor chart activity idea and an adorable video of fourth graders involved in a grammar lesson with a partner. Thanks, Arian, for sharing those.
Finally, if you’re in the San Antonio area this month, you’re invited to stop by our poetry book launch celebration. You can support the food truck chefs, pick up a poetry book, hear some of the contributors reading some of their poems, and hang out with Laura Van Prooyen and me.
Please drop in to join Laura and Gretchen in celebrating the release of Text Structures from Poetry. Student writers, contributors, and all writers in attendance are invited to step up to the mic to read a poem!
This is a casual, come-as-you-are, all ages event. Dogs welcome on leash. SA Street Fare hosts a variety of food trucks with tasty options. Please no outside food or drink.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Integrated Lesson Sequence
This will make your next set of integrated reading/writing lessons a cinch to plan and a joy to teach!
We would love to feature your work and the work of your students in our next newsletter! Please send your success stories to us at trail.of.bcs@gmail.com
