Our staff of teachers in grades 4-5 are using a voice unit created by Gretchen Courtney. The staff uses 6+1Traits, but they feel it's weakest in Voice. The unit they are teaching is 6 weeks long. I don't have the information with me now, but it involves writing 3-5 papers simultaneously. Monday begins with modeling the writing, Tuesday and Wednesday are shared writing, Thursday is small group writing, and Friday is an individual piece of writing. The other option is doing a modeled writing on Monday, a shared writing on Wednesday, and an individual writing on Friday. Each week teachers focus on a different aspect of voice. They focus on great lead-ins, different types of figurative language, etc. I have to say it's amazing the difference in the writing for these kids. Wow! The teachers are all using picture books to show examples of this great writing as well. If you know anyone who has been to a Gretchen Courtney workshop on writing or voice, it's worth talking to them about. Her stuff is amazing! Libby DuVall Reading Specialist Glenwood Intermediate School Ball-Chatham CUSD#5 http://gis.chathamschools.org/Classroom%20Web%20Pages/Reading%20Web/Reading%20home.htm <http://gis.chathamschools.org/Classroom%20Web%20Pages/Reading%20Web/Reading%20home.htm>
________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue 2/5/2008 8:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MOSAIC] Voice Help! My students are currently working on writing magazine articles about the topic of their choice. They are really into this because they are responsible for writing the article and formatting it as well. I am noticing that while the student's work is very organized with good topic sentences and supporting details, as a whole, their articles are very bland making it almost painful to read at times. Does anyone have any suggestions or mini-lessons focusing on the author's voice? I have tried to give them various models of the purpose and importance of voice in writing, but many of them are not taking any risks in their writing. Any ideas? _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
_______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
