#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Questions will be tweeted out by @6thchat and RT by me. They are tweeted every 6 min. beginning at 9:06. You can also find all questions here: https://t.co/nXsh95tNVF#6thchat
A1) New writing opportunities beyond essay and story writing get Ss' attention; it's like trying a new recipe! Creative juices flow and since perhaps few Ss have tried the genre, it levels the writing field--first time for everyone! #6thchat
A1: It can engage Ss since it won't be something they are expecting. Some Ss come into writing thinking they aren't good, but if it doesn't look like traditional writing that can change the mindset
#6thchat
A1: It can engage Ss since it won't be something they are expecting. Some Ss come into writing thinking they aren't good, but if it doesn't look like traditional writing that can change the mindset
#6thchat
A1 Most kids want to THINK! When they are challenged to write an obit for someone they research vs. another genre, they have to do a completely different type of thinking. The constraint of the genre adds such complexity to the writing challenge! #6thchat
A2) Ss need to research authentic writing examples in the form that they are exploring; if writing board game instructions, they need to research and list "what makes great board game instructions"? Don't tell the Ss, let them discover it! #6thchat
A2: As I said with Q1, get them to change their thinking. My district places a lot of emphasis on Claim-Evidence-Reasoning writing, but not all writing wants that
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A2 Have students study other writing in that genre and take note of what they notice. This process will usually help the kids discover the characteristics of the genre better than any other lesson we can teach! #6thchat
We studied "Author Blurbs" and then Ss wrote as if they were famous authors in the future. They had to consider all of the facts that they'd have to include. It was so much fun to have them discover the writing needs of this genre. #6thchat
A3) Thinking it would be fun to have Ss write a PSA about a global issue they are concerned about; thinking @Flipgrid could be fun for them to deliver their messages; possibly make a poster, too? Thinking...#6thchat
A3 Have students write epic poems about their favorite historical figure - making the person's accomplishments superhuman. Then have 1:1 poetry battles w/ human continuum. Kids move along continuum as what is read moves them to choose the "argument" winner! #6thchat
A4) Thinking Ss could write a "how to" use a tech site that they know a lot about sharing ideas of how to use it, why, when, how, etc. It might be fun for them to use @ThingLink to share their writing and "how to" information; #6thchat
Fantastic! This would be a blast! Having them study epic poems first and then learning about a new historical figure. Great cross curricular opportunities! #6thchat
A3) My 6th grade student research job openings and write resumes and cover letters. They enjoy the challenge of feeling "adult" and writing about their experiences for this purpose. #6thchat
A4: We are just starting “Feature Articles” and will pair w/ the SS teacher to write about ancient Greeks/ Greece. Not sure what our final “product” will be yet. #6thchat
I have wondered about offering a limited "choice" board with something like this with maybe "song", "poem" or "script" as options. Almost like a book group, they would research and write/share within their choice areas. Haven't done this but thinking about it #6thchat
I love the PSA idea. I have students working on something now that might work well with that. I just re-started using Flipgrid today, too. Great wayt to use it! #6thchat
A5) I think a scrapbook or photo essay would be interesting for Ss to do where they would have to write about the artifacts or photos they select. #6thchat
A5: Have students write college applications where they give their life story and then can expand onto what life would be like after they get into the school
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My students are currently imagining a "perfect world" or a utopia. They write paragraphs to explain the name they've chosen, the motto and seal, the form of government, imagine creating an APP and much more. It is a fun way to explore various writing forms. #6thchat
A5: Narrative writing has been mostly what we have done so far! We always take our writing over to @Seesaw - either to listen to ourselves read or to narrate over an image of our story. (Map Stories - @schoolwide Narrative box) #jackgantos#6thchat
A6) Being vulnerable myself if I have never written in a genre; be open to the experience of exploration; remembering I won't have the "answers" and to keep on questioning. #6thchat
A6: Have I mentioned the Mentor Texts? I like to take images and put them into @Nearpod. The Ss can highlight elements of the genre and have conversations about it. I can share back with the class. #6thchat
A6: Assessing and feedback, it is difficult to give feedback or assess a new style that I am not as familiar with compared to a simple essay sometimes
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A5 Think of other ways to tell a story. A Day in the Life writing, a series of journal entries can tell a story. Narrative can be multigenre writing too. There are some good mentor texts out there for this type of narrative. #6thchat
A 6) I would worry that I can't give proper instructions. That said, I have tried new types of writing often and I do find a way through it. I just find it easier to help students when I've been through the experience once before. #6thchat
A7) I think that it will be important that Ss share it on shared google files, @Flipgrid , @padlet , use Twitter to send out links, and use tech tools that help produce "best effort" artifacts (as opposed to final drafts--because is writing ever final?) #6thchat
I also write out the description of the genre (or intro to the lesson) as a fill in the blank activity and the #6thchat Ss really eat it up! (They love the score!)
They had a narrative, visual, media, and poetry piece required. Some added more writing pieces. Each piece develops one part of the topic and they find a cohesive "theme" to tie their work together. Google Tom Romano and start reading how to MGP!
A7 Publish S writing to an audience beyond classmates and teacher. For our MGP we had an open house and invited 5ths and parents, etc. Have them tweet, send their writing out into the world somehow. Give them an audience so they see their ideas have legs in the world! #6thchat
A7 Publish S writing to an audience beyond classmates and teacher. For our MGP we had an open house and invited 5ths and parents, etc. Have them tweet, send their writing out into the world somehow. Give them an audience so they see their ideas have legs in the world! #6thchat
A7) Whenever the writing is connected to a student's life or experience, I think it is authentic. Pen Pal letters and real connections also make the assignments relevant. #6thchat
I will have my students create PSAs connected to the book we are reading "I Will Always Write Back." I think I'll have them record them using Flipgrid. I LOVED that idea! #6thchat
A8: I am going to check into the multi genre writing project. Also, love the nearpod idea with the mentor text when doing the researching of an unfamiliar genre. #6thchat
