One of the best activities i think i do is at the very beginning of the year. i divide my 8th graders into partners...making sure to pair students with someone they seem not to know, but would possibly be comfortable working with. I then have the students interview each other (and take notes) and then write a 5 paragraph essay on their partner they will present to the class (yes, it's the start of preparation for the ISATS) I show them examples of how to introduce 3 characteristics of the person and then use the following paragraphs to back up these characterisitics. Then the partner also has to create a poster/collage on the person. We hang these up with the papers for back to school night. The kids love this and i jumpstart into the boring testing stuff in a fun way. ;-)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Kim wrote: Since I am teaching Medival History and LA next year, I wonder if I can use this idea without borrowing any books. I will have to think about that. Hmmm. Pam writes: Gosh, I envy you!? I love medieval times and would love to teach a combo SS/LA.? Maybe you could have the kids research the medieval sites in Europe/UK/Asia (?) and have the kids create a travel brochure (or creative story or picture book) for a trip back in time (or it could take place in "real" time & have the kids seeing the sites).? You could have them doing the research in SS & the writing in LA.? Man, that sounds fun...I wonder if I could somehow work this into my classes? ;o)? Pam/6th Gr./FL ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive --------------------------------- Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
