Writing Predictable Books

The project my class has been working on for the past week is one I thought would be a disaster. I have wanted to make predictable books with my class for a while now. Honestly, I thought it was going to be one of those week long writing lessons that would make me pull my hair out! Have you ever planned a lesson that you thought would end up bad? Maybe I'm crazy for trying it, but I'm so glad I did. We began by reading samples of predictable books that we have already read in class. Then, we made a list of sentence starters that students could choose from. Next, we wrote and illustrated a page a day. I think doing one page a day was why it went so smoothly. Once students picked a sentence, each day I reminded him or her that they must begin their sentence with the same words. Here are two examples. I wish I could show them all because I am so proud of my little cuties!

I love Brody's last page, "Spiderman is cool." He wanted to throw his readers off by changing the last page:)

Have you tried writing predictable books in your classroom? 

Thanks for stopping by!!!

-Shelley

In Twenty Year Writing

So I'm gone for less than a week at 4th grade camp and I feel like I've missed out on all the Teacher Appreciation Linky Parties!  Wow!  A lot goes on in the blog world!

Currently my kiddos and I are getting ready for our Publishing Celebration that we are having for the parents tomorrow.  We have been writing about what we are going to be doing in 20 years.  Right now it works out perfectly because my kiddos are 9 years old and I am 29, so I can tell them 20 years ago, I was in third grade.  Gosh I am old!  It is cool for them to see that the goals that you set for yourself can really happen.

Download the freebie for a graphic organizer and final copy paper.

My kiddos dressed up as their desired profession.  The kiddo above wanted to be a tornado chaser and the girl wanted to be a scientist.  I had a little girl who wanted to be a veterinarian and so she brought in a bunch of her stuffed animals.  It was so cute! 

Before we present, the kiddos act as host and hostess and get their parents refreshments.  My kiddos are not allowed to partake until the parents leave.  This really gives them a sense of ownership and makes them feel like they are doing this for their parents.  I also do a slideshow of pictures throughout the year.  The parents and kiddos love it.  I use Smilebox.  If you have never used smilebox, you have to check it out!

Twelve Days and counting!!!

Amy