Small Action = Big Results

In Writer's Workshop, we are continuing to revise our fictional story drafts.  Students are continuing to learn strategies that good writers use to make their stories even better!  This week students learned to add small actions to show more about a character or to help the reader visualize what's happening in the story. 

Here is an example from a mentor text Picnic in October by Eve Bunting.  After reading this passage I highlighted the small action sentences that students noticed.

With a writing buddy and red revising pen, partners added small actions to make this example student passage even better.

After sharing some revisions, students jumped right into their own stories.  They were to add a few small actions into each "scene" in their story.


Here students are moving their numbered clothespin down the chart so the teachers can keep track of all students' progress!

Rain! Rain! Go Away!

As you have heard by now, our trip was pretty much a washout. Although we did learn and experience a bit of the Lenape way of life. 

Right after hopping off of the bus, much to Melissa's dismay, some of the boys decided to slip under her umbrella.

Next our class met our tour guide and she began telling us about Lenape history and showing us different edible leaves.  

She showed us some of the tools the tribe used and explained some of the jobs men and women had.

For the next part of our tour the children got to sit inside a longhouse.

Here is the pottery station. 

Even though it was very damp out, she was able to demonstrate how the Indians would start a fire.

Even though due to the weather our trip was cut short we were told they are going to come to our school in June!  Our tour guide kept trying to show the class somethings that they wouldn't be able to see in June.