Yes, This Will Be On the Test

Writing, Reading, Laughing

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

View From the 5th Grade Trenches - January 2012 - READ-WRITE-THINK

One of the many benefits of being a teacher and a writer is information crossover. Often resources intended for my students pop out as ongoing writing education for myself. One of my favorite places for learning is: 


 READ-WRITE-THINK brought to you by International Reading Association, NCTE, and Thinkfinity by Verizon, is treasure trove of writing lessons for students. To me it’s a magical index, worthy of being a volume in Hogwart’s library, where I can explore very specific aspects of writing that I may need to focus on at any given time. Often these lessons give an explicit explanation of what we know inherently, and by doing that sharpen that specific skill in our arsenal of writing talents.

Here’s a snipet from a lesson on DEFINING CHARACTERIZATION that focused on the difference between DIRECT and INDIRECT characterization. This information is also a good snapshot of telling vs. showing.

DIRECT - Defines character though TELLING.
The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother."

INDIRECT - Shows things that reveal the personality of the character using the five methods of: Speech/Thought/Effect on others/Actions/Looks
***Acronym Alert*** - STEAL

The lessons may seem simplistic to we wise literary tribal elders, but sometimes a simple quick check up is all we need to smooth over a writing snag or answer a puzzling technical question.

Here are a few lessons you can peek at to get a feel for the site and its value.




This site is definitely worth a bookmark in your craft folder.

20 comments:

  1. Show vs tell is a big issue with the writing craft, and it's amazing how one is so much more effective than the other. We can always use a refresher to keep us on the right track.

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  2. It's amazing how after awhile we forget others don't know these things . . . until we read our kids' stories. It's something I want to teach my kids about now. :D

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  3. That's awesome! I need to bookmark this site. Really cool stuff.

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  4. I'll check out the links.

    I come across things in teaching that I can use in writing and vice versa.

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  5. This was so timely! I was just looking for a good plot diagram for my new novel! Bookmarking... Thanks!

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  6. Wow, I've never even heard of this. Thank you so much! I'm definitely checking it out AND bookmarking it.

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  7. It's very interesting to me the wonderful resources that are available today for teachers and students. When I've been in the classroom at my kids' school, I've been amazed at the techniques of writing that they are learning at a young age that I do not remember learning when I was going through. And the creativity of some of the students I've worked with makes me jealous. :-)

    Thanks for pointing out this resource, Leslie!

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  8. Sounds cool. I will check it out. ;)

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  9. Hey Everyone, have a blast tiptoeing through READ-WRITE-THINK. It's awesomeness on a bun. Thanks for the comments.

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  10. I love hearing my kids' teachers talk to them about voice in their writing and using specific details! :) Everything we all struggle with too!

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  11. Thanks for sharing this link. You've got the in working with your kids and getting all the good sites, so thanks for sharing with those of us who don't.

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  12. Sounds like a great site! THanks for the tip - off to check it out... :)

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  13. Great resource! I have a sixth grader that writes all the time, but I'm sure he could use this site! Thanks for the information!

    Heather

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  14. Absolutely super site and, yes, definitely worthy of bookmarking. Thanks so much. Very timely for me. I'm doing a workshop next month!

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  15. WOW! This is awesome. I am heading over to check it out and BOOKMARK it too! I think simple refreshers are great! They aren't an information overload. They're nice and easy so I will take the time to review! Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  16. Wonderful links. Thanks for posting them!

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  17. Great site. So often we don't need to be taught, but only to be reminded. You have a lovely post - one teacher to another, Roland

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  18. This is the sort of thing that is so hard for aspiring author's to find in detail - I remember looking a couple of years ago, trying to refresh my memory. :)

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  19. STEAL - love that acronym! Will definitely check this out. Good point how it not only shows you two different ways to characterize, but is a elegantly simply way to demonstrate show don't tell.

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  20. What an awesome site! I just spent some time checking it out and it has a lot to offer. I can't wait to share this with my co-author because she is a 5th grade teacher. If she doesn't know about this already she will love it! Thanks for sharing.

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