Christmas Comparisons - Writing Lesson

One way to improve writing skills is to practice writing.  This lesson allows students to gain awareness of various Christmas traditions around the world.  Students are then asked to reflect on their own traditions and customs.  By comparing their personal experiences to the other traditions that are shared, students gain an awareness of the norms that exist outside of their own lives.  This skill is especially encouraged, since so often students perceive their own customs and lifestyles as dominant.  Creating awareness within other cultures makes what originally seemed “odd” begins to make sense with increased exposure, transforming the “odd” to unique, interesting, and distinctive traits that are present in other cultures. 

Essential Questions

·      How do your Christmas traditions compare to other locations around the world? 

·      how do traditions and customs influence our culture?

Click here to download the complete lesson plan

Writing prompts about Melissa Bachman and her lion hunt.

This above image has caused outrage and heated discussion around the world.  

Melissa Bachman posted this photo on twitter with the following statement.  "An incredible day hunting in South Africa! Stalked inside 60-yards on this beautiful male lion...what a hunt!"

You have probably never heard of this woman before, but she has forged a career in the media from hunting large endangered species in scantily clad clothing including Grizzly Bears, Zebras, Alligators, Elk and now the king of the jungle, the Lion.

The lion was killed legally in a contained park at an expense estimated at around $20,000 USD which is an entirely separate issue again, but the arrogance and ignorance of publicising the senseless slaughter of an endangered and noble beast has backfired turning the hunter into the hunted.

Millions have voiced their disgust at Bachman and many threats have been made on her own life as a result of here actions.

This is a great topic for writing and will easily inspire action on their behalf.  Here are some writing topics to consider around this topic.

• Does the hunting of wildlife have any place in this day and age?
• Is pulling the trigger on a defenceless creature from a secure location hunting or murder?
• Is there any coming back from an action like this?  Write an apology from Bachman's perspective that might in some way satisfy her aggressors.
• This woman has a right to earn a living any way she wants write a letter justifying her actions.
• How could we use this as a positive to stop paid African big game hunting in future?  Write a letter to the African government expressing your opinions around this issue. 
• Does paid big game hunting actually save wild animals?  Write an argumentative essay supporting your view

Please write in your own ideas in the section below.

Argumentative Writing Graphic Organizer

Argumentative writing may sound like a new concept or approach, but it is not.  This term basically means to argue one’s opinion while understanding that there is an opposing side. 

Brought to the forefront with the adoption of the new ELA Common Core Standards, middle and high school students alike need practice in developing argumentative writing.  This allows them to increase their comfort level in choosing a side on a controversial issue and developing their opinion using persuasive language and techniques.  From there, writers should be able to think about the arguments or counterclaims that the opposing side would make in response.  Not only should the author seek to provide these counterclaims, but to add support that dismisses the opposition’s argument.  

The argumentative graphic organizer is a strategic teaching tool that better equips students to develop this type of writing.  This graphic organizer is designed to anticipate the needs of the readers, as well as have the author utilize a variety of detail types to develop their opinion with more than just fluffy, eloquent language.  

Click here to download the graphic organizer

Cell Phones in the Classroom: Writing Task

Learning Intention / Overview

These opening two days of this potential argumentative unit will provide students with a way to effectively take notes and research their own opinions about cell phone use in the classroom.  Students will also be able to explore relevant literature that provides support that correlates with their opinion.  These instructions guide students to creating a unique folder graphic organizer that provides storage space for them to uniquely store details appropriate for their introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.  This unique method of brainstorming saves time writing down all the research and allows students to group their findings as they collect it.  This is a concrete way to provide needed organization for students that may struggle with using their research once it is collected. 

Methods / Teaching Strategies

 Group work

Research Project

The Writing Process (brainstorming)

Essential Questions

How do i feel about cell phones in the classroom? 

How can I develop my opinion with relevant details?

What is a counterclaim?

Click here to download the entire lesson plan

Video about the potential use of a cell phone in the classroom

In this episode of The Mind Matters Show, host Dr. Craig Pohlman talks to Tom Dubick of Charlotte Latin school about the untapped potential of cell phones in the classroom. Follow Mind Matters on Twitter! @MindMatters_SEP

Are Songwriters Poets? Lesson Plan

Learning Intention / Overview

Poetry is a term that makes many students frown before they even give it a chance.  After introducing poetic devices and clarifying that students understand the differences, this activity can create interest in poetry that might have been lacking.  Using the accompanying handout and the lyrics to two popular songs, students are asked to reflect on the question:  “are songwriters poets”?  This increased motivation and requires students to reflect on poetic devices in a comfortable setting because they feel more opening to analysing songs than poetry.  What they may not initially realize is that song lyrics are poetry!

Essential Questions

What is poetry?

How is music similar to poetry?

How is music different to poetry?

Are songwriters poets?

Click here to download the entire four page lesson plan

Vanilla Ice:  Was he a poet and didn't know it?

Germ Attack Lesson Plan

This is a great lesson plan from the Albany Health System to teach younger children about the risks associated with spreading germs.

It promotes good hygiene and practice around avoiding spreading of disease.

Click here to download the lesson plan 

Easy lesson for phonics

Introduction: When doing Thrass or phonics I found that learning sounds can be done in such an innovative and easy way.

When teaching Grade 1’s different sounds, use hands on items that begin with the sounds to teach how to write and say it.

For example: When teaching the “Sh” sound one could use shaving cream. Spary a blob of shaving cream on each childs desk and as a class you write the “Sh” into the shaving cream using fingers.

The teacher can facilitate by writing up on the board or walking around and doing the movement with each learner. They can wipe out and try with an upper case “Sh” and then with a lower case “sh”.

This may be difficult for those tactile defensive learners however they need to try and can be reassured by a bucket of soapy water and a cloth to clean their hands afterwards.

Main: Learners can wash hands and do a formal writing lesson in their writing books along lines etc. You may write up the “sh” letters on the board and learners do so in their books.

Some other sounds and items to use:

“j” Jam on desks or white boards

“p” popcorn and allow learners to make a “p” using popcorn. “i” Icing sugar on desks or white board

“m” marshmallows into a M shape

“t” tea and toast day. Set aside a time for groups of learners to go outside and have tea and toast whilst the other half do their “t” writing in their writing books. Then swap over. This is best done with two teachers involved or an intern. At the school I interned at, we did it this way and it worked so well and kids loved it!

Be creative and use your imagination!!!

Free Printable Cursive Letters Handwriting Templates

A friend of mine asked for some printable templates to help her grandchildren improve their handwriting skills.  As a result I have created these Victorian Modern Cursive Templates for you to download and print out and use with your own students.

They work most effectively when laminated so that they can be used over and over. 

Please let me know if you would like these made up in any other specific font and I'll see what I can do.

Click here to download.  

Enjoy.