I have been an English/Language Arts teacher for almost twenty years and have taught every grade level from preschool to high school seniors. I pride myself on 'non-traditional' reading and writing ideas in order to motivate students to fall in love with reading and become more proficient writers. I enjoy creating cross-curricular activities with my colleagues to enhance learning and help students understand that subject matter transcends the bell that dismisses one class into another.
LEPRECHAUN TRAPS:
Writing prompts and assignments were used with 5th graders based on Texas Standards:
After writing the essays, students worked in small groups to design and build leprechaun traps using recyclable materials. I provided the following supplies for each group: a bowl of Lucky Charms, three gold coins, gold ribbon, and shamrock streamer. Students had one week of class time to complete their projects.
When the groups had completed their projects, each student wrote a reflective journal entry explaining what he or she learned about the process of working in groups.
The art teacher, Rebecca Hill, showed the students clips of the show CUPCAKE WARS. Students then designed their own cupcakes using construction paper, glitter, and various art supplies.
Students were allowed to enter our school's First Annual Cupcake Wars by baking, designing, and bringing six cupcakes to school on a Friday. (photos below show some of the 'winners')
In the meantime, in their 5th grade Language Arts class down the hall, the students wrote an expository essay detailing the process of baking and designing their cupcakes.
PLEASE NOTE: We had almost 500 cupcakes at school that day, as most children wanted to participate.
LEPRECHAUN TRAPS:
Writing prompts and assignments were used with 5th graders based on Texas Standards:
Expository Essay: There is a leprechaun loose in the school building. Write an essay detailing how you would design and build a trap that will capture the leprechaun.
Narrative Essay: Your trap has captured the leprechaun and he led you to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Write an essay explaining what you will do with the pot of gold.
When the groups had completed their projects, each student wrote a reflective journal entry explaining what he or she learned about the process of working in groups.
CUPCAKE WARS:
Writing prompts and assignments were used with 5th graders based on Texas Standards:
Students were allowed to enter our school's First Annual Cupcake Wars by baking, designing, and bringing six cupcakes to school on a Friday. (photos below show some of the 'winners')
In the meantime, in their 5th grade Language Arts class down the hall, the students wrote an expository essay detailing the process of baking and designing their cupcakes.
PLEASE NOTE: We had almost 500 cupcakes at school that day, as most children wanted to participate.
NOVEL STUDIES
Some colleagues and I have used creative activities related to novel studies through the years. A few of those activities and assignments are listed here.
HOLES by Louis Sachar
Target student audience: 7th or 8th graders
After reading the novel, students worked in small groups to create a product using onion juice or sploosh. The group designed a label for their product, as well as a promotional item in the form of a newspaper ad, a coupon to be mailed to homes, or a miniature billboard. The group then wrote a script for a radio or TV commercial and presented it to the class.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW by S.E. Hinton
Target audience: 8th graders
While reading the novel, each student kept a journal of character studies. Each student then wrote a creative character study essay explaining how the character grew and changed throughout the novel. Students then worked in a group with others who focused on the same character and compiled a visual of him or her. (pictured above)
We reap the benefit of your continued procrastination! What COOL ideas!!
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