Fourth Grade Writing Meeting November 18, 2014

Writing Workshop  Mini-lesson with mentor text  Group practice/Oral rehearsal  Independent practice  Working with teacher  Working with peers  Share and reflect

Two Types of Writing  Narrative - focused on a specific personal experience (one specific time)  Expository - explains a claim with support (times in general)

Narrative Structure Narrative is about a character’s experience and emotion during one moment, not a list of events.

Narrative Compositions on-grade-level pieces  Correct organizational strategy  Specific details and language  Use correct sentence structure  Revise drafts to strengthen ideas or delete information  Revise sentence-to-sentence connections  Use appropriate word choice  Sentences are controlled (they sound right)  Edit drafts to correct conventions (CUPS)

Narrative An engaging introduction sets up the topic and the purpose. Every detail adds value by creating vivid imagery. The writer doesn’t assume the reader will understand; he explains the significance of each critical event. Varied sentence structure creates a rhythm and flow that enhances a writer’s ideas. The conclusion drives home the central idea. The writer demonstrates solid control of fourth grade conventions. GCISD: 10 STAAR: 3

Narrative Pitfalls o Missing the prompt (whole or partial) o Shifting (changing positions) o Repeating Words/Ideas o Too much dialogue o Lacking voice

Expository Structure Expository is an organized essay that supports a claim with well developed evidence. THESIS/CLAIM STATEMENT One reason that Evidence Connect/Concluding statement Another reason Evidence Connect/Concluding statement Although (Thesis) I especially (thesis) because Evidence Connect/Concluding statement Closing Thesis Statement

Expository Compositions on-grade-level pieces  Correct organizational strategy  A clear thesis/claim  Develop ideas with specific details, language, and examples  Use correct sentence structure  Revise drafts to strengthen ideas or delete information  Revise sentence-to-sentence connections  Word choice is appropriate  Sentences are controlled  Edit drafts to correct conventions

Expository A clear, focused claim is provided in the introduction. The writer attempts to engage the reader. To be stronger, this imagery should directly support the ideas in the body of the essay. Topic sentences establish the focus in each paragraph. Concluding sentences wrap up each paragraph. They reinforce the writer’s point without repeating language or information. The concluding sentence drives home the writer’s central idea. The writer demonstrates solid control of fourth grade conventions. GCISD: 9-10 STAAR: 3

Expository Pitfalls o Missing the prompt (whole or partial) o Shifting (changing positions) o Repeating Words/Ideas o Lacking support

Thank you for coming!