Prewriting Mini Lessons Beth Anne Clayton July 5, 2011

A little about me… I have taught three years at Cardinal Valley Elementary, 1 st grade. Majority of my students are ELL learners (English Language Learners.) I use mini lessons to foster a writing environment in my classroom. My students look forward to writing!

What is Prewriting anyway? Prewriting is the first step into the writing process. Prewriting can be practiced in many shapes and forms. I will teach three different mini-lessons focusing on the prewriting stage, which you will be able to apply in your own classroom and your own writing!

The Components of a Mini Lesson Mini lessons are short, 1-5 minutes in length. Focused on one specific skill. Gentle in tone, informing, playful and light. Content is determined by the needs of the writers in the classroom. Avery, Carol. 2002, And with a Light Touch p

Idea Generation Clustering/ Narrative Students will create a web that stems from a from a personal experience. I will model a clustering map for everyone. I will cluster an idea from a stop my writing group took, during the writing marathon, in which we did not write. (Ate lunch instead.) Now I would like everyone to create their own cluster map from a writing stop you took during the writing marathon.

Student Work Samples

Idea Development We’ll use this technique with an opinion piece. First the teacher will state an argument. Students will create a list on their beliefs/opinions about the argument. Then students will take turns listening to their partner and list some of the reasoning their partner may oppose their position. I will model the list turn/talk technique. Your argument is, “Should tenure be kept in place or thrown out. Why or why not?

Student Work Samples

Illustration This mini lesson can be incorporated for how-to pieces. I will model the graphic organizer technique we use in my classroom. I’ll illustrate how to pack an overnight bag. Now you will pull out your notebooks and draw a similar graphic organizer. I want you to think of something you would like to describe in detail steps through illustrations. Suggestions: How to push in your chair. How to wash your hands. How to brush your teeth. My students are encouraged to think of something they want to describe in detailed steps to a kindergartner. (Something they can do independently.)

Student Work Samples

Best Practices Idea Development Student Choice

In Closing… “It is terribly important for kids to read and write for the reasons that people the world over read and write, which is to communicate, to be delighted, to laugh.” - Lucy Caulkins