#1stchat Archive
Weekly chat for excited 1st grade teachers who love to learn and share ideas. Participants are interested in a variety of topics including literacy, math, technology, play, inquiry, and being the best educators they can be!
Sunday October 30, 2016
Hello, I'm Leka from Iowa co-hosting with the amazing Excited to be here with friends!
Hi , I'm Angela from Alberta. Excited to learn with you all tonight!
Traci here from KS, happy Sunday
Hi, Angela! Glad you are here!
Happy Sunday! It's time for . I'm Val from Michigan and co-hosting with the wonderful
Where did October go? Jane here from SW KS.
Hi everybody! Derek here from PA!
Hello friends. Karen from Vancouver, Canada.
Hello my friend. How are you?
Hi, Jane. I feel the same way!
Hi Karen, glad to see you.
I'm always glad to make it to 😊
Hi, Derek! Great to see you!
Tonight's topic: Writing in the primary classroom.
Doing well. Big week coming with Halloween and P/T conferences!
Hope everyone is ready for the Halloween fun tomorrow.
Hi, Terry! Hope you had a good weekend!
I'm here! :-) and on time. Imprving student writing is a focus of mine this year. Here to learn form others.
Jen from MN in and out tonight! Looking forward to chatting about writing!
Q1 What does writing look like in your classroom?
Hi, Jen! Glad you are here!
Not too bad, busy as always.
I've missed several weeks--but glad to join in tonight
A1: Makes me sad that writing doesn't look like what I know it should look like. Scheduling is a huge issue.
Hi everyone Claire here from Vermont. I love teaching writing to first graders. Looking forward to some new ideas.
A1 Writing workshop, shared writing, interactive writing, and guided writing groups.
A1 A mini lesson, independent writing time then sharing at the end.
A1: Lots of shared and modeled whole group formal instruction; daily independent free writing; sharing everyday
Are you referring to students getting pulled out during your writing time?
A1: Using new idea this year! Paperless Morning Work Bundle from TPT and lots of academic language prior to writing
A1: There is LOTS of modelling & shared writing in my room. We are using the writing process with lots of conferences & feedback.
Hi, Tracey here from Texas. Excited to chat about writing tonight!
A1: We are doing a lot of responding to reading and activity. Workshop is what I know to be the best.
A1 Still trying to figure it all out with the different needs in my room. DAILY is key though.
Journals (free writing), interactive writing, daily 5 work on writing, and writers' workshop
No, we do not have writing as a scheduled time. It is suppose to be in ELA which is only a 90 minute block. https://t.co/Y3WjgeftMX
Are you referring to students getting pulled out during your writing time?
A1 my district is currently using the latest Lucy Calkins Units of Study....We are working on narratives called small moments.
Cassie from MN checking in - excited for the topic!
A1 Mentor texts, conferencing, collaboration, choice, and plenty of opportunities to write in all subject areas.
Is your Daily 5 writing mostly informal with student choice?
That's a goal of mine. Learnig is best when conferences can occur. We aren't there yet... Soon though I hope.
A1 Writer's workshop - minilesson, independent writing time while I confer, sharing when we have time
Hi, Cassie! Glad to see you!
A1: I have been trying to manipulate my schedule to do what is best for Ss.
Hello ! Michelle from WI joining in a bit late
Q2 What writing unit or focus are you currently working on with your students?
Hi, Michelle! Glad to see yoU!
do you notice that the lessons seem "dry" after a while?
Loving this topic! PERFECT TIMINING!
A1: daily ind prompt, modeling types of writing, I use 4square for organization of ideas, responding to content , I could do more
A1: we use Calkins writing units, so minilesson, indep writing time/confernces, share time
Hi, joining in for a bit, coming into the chat as an ESL/ISSP teacher
A2 We are working on personal narrative. Focusing on writing about a small moment with details & temporal words.
Ss write in other subject areas as well - reading responses, science notebooks, etc.
A2: We were working on narratives. We did some adorable stories and won a contest!
A2: We were working on narratives. We did some adorable stories and won a contest!
A1 We Journal on Mondays about their weekends. and I have them respond about their reading books in their reading journals
A1: favorite part of writing is when they share their free writing - it become authentic and helps them revise & edit
A2 personal narratives right now
A1 We recently finished "small moments" and now we are in the "revision" unit.
A2: We are focusing on Halloween & Remembrance Day, lots of adjectives & description right now.
Hi ! It's been awhile. Amy from Kingston, Ontario here! ☃
WOW! That's a lot to get done in 90 min w reading and writing, etc.
So are we. I love small moments!
we just finished up the first unit, now doing an If...Then narrative since my Ss need more practice before moving on to NF
glad you are joining in tonight.
A2: we will work on narratives this next qtr.
A2: We are working on teaching stories. Informational writing.
A2 I do Daily5& authentic tasks. Our curriculum is also much different. Have some pen pals we owe letters to! So letter writing nxt
Hi Amy. Glad you are joining in.
A2 We are working on Small Moments right now.
What are they adding to take up some of your time? I try to integrate with content to help time crunch
Hi friends! Just dropping in to say hello.
I like to teach writing by trait, using 6 traits.
I like this idea, I think I need to give that a try on MOndays, they are always so eager to share about their weekend
Hi, Andrea! Great to see you!
we are learning adjectives too, building and describing monsters this week
my kiddos also really need more time with narratives before we move on to NF too.
Q3 How do you help your early writers generate ideas to write about?
A1 I teach in an inquiry based, student-centred SK-1 room. Notebooks, student-made lists and signs, integrated activities, etc
It's good to see what they write about. Many write about weekend. Some stick w informative writing:)
Sandra from Surrey. Have you tried Story Workshop where the stds create a story with loose parts, tell the story and then write.
A2: we're all about capitalization and punctuation .. will move into a personal narrative closer to Thanksgiving
Hey funny thing! So are we! So excited!
You too! We had an extra day off and I'm still working. LOL! Where does the time go?
A3 I cut out pix from magazines and put them in a bright purple "idea box." If they're stuck, they choose an idea!
I LOVE the traits! I used them all the time in grade 4 & 6, still figuring out how to do this in 1st😊
Thank you for saying that. I also thought so, but since everyone loves the series so much I hate to complain
My Ss keep a writing folder, in the folder is a heart with pieces. We talk about teaching writing from the heart and ideas r there.
Great idea! https://t.co/UnDQtnfMJj
A3 I cut out pix from magazines and put them in a bright purple "idea box." If they're stuck, they choose an idea!
A3: we have monthly "word helpers" that has 12 words w/ pics to help students generate an idea .. helps those who struggle!
That's a fun idea. https://t.co/rEZ41Ay8vv
A3 I cut out pix from magazines and put them in a bright purple "idea box." If they're stuck, they choose an idea!
A3: I've been trying to connect to our content a bit, seasons was last focus so writing narrative during seasons, now families unit
Do you write as a group or individual?
I had primary training for the the traits, it was awesome. https://t.co/YbNUXTdBb3
I LOVE the traits! I used them all the time in grade 4 & 6, still figuring out how to do this in 1st😊
We were describing our pumpkins😊 The kiddos seem to like adjectives A LOT!
It's so important that students learn to share and respectfully listen to ideas from others! https://t.co/X2wmAuROQA
A1: There is LOTS of modelling & shared writing in my room. We are using the writing process with lots of conferences & feedback.
A3 We start the year reading books written by other first graders and asking"Where do you think he got this idea?"
I do love it! My Ss are a bit lower this year so I'm needing to spend more time on this first unit
A3 I often use pictures to help generate new ideas with the Ss.
A3: Daily sharing promotes a community of "Everyone's an Author"...when Ss believe it, they live it!
A3 I keep notes on what students share during morning meetings. Helps them see connection between their news and storytelling.
A3 Mentor texts help, as well as collaborating with others and hearing their peer's ideas. Teacher modeling as well!
A3 school events, seasons, holidays, based on science or social studies units, maths, anything and all things
I do the same! :) https://t.co/MXJ7xs4blb
A3 I keep notes on what students share during morning meetings. Helps them see connection between their news and storytelling.
our first year as well using Calkins. We are really enjoying it. Lots of work but so much progress being made.
A3 Similar to heart maps of things they love, decorate covers of our writers notebooks with photos of family, etc
A3 Shared writing of classroom stories are also great idea boosters.
thanks! Easy and free to do. Kids LOVE it and there's way less wasted time and empty papers :)
I'll have to look into this a bit more😊
A3 Ss keep a list of ideas in their folders. We add to them periodically so they always have new things to write about.
So smart! I need to start doing this!
What's Next for This Beginning Writer? Is an amazing resource. Focuses on Kid Writing. Works well with Story workshop.
I have to say, I'm feeling encouraged! It's my 1st yr teaching 1st grade after 7 yrs in 6th...I feel like I'm on the right track
Thanks for sharing. I will check it out! https://t.co/genkHBz8W8
What's Next for This Beginning Writer? Is an amazing resource. Focuses on Kid Writing. Works well with Story workshop.
A3: I like visual prompts &connecting to content.In the beginning I give a prompt for each sentence of paragraph. Ex. See, feel, do
A3 We have a weekly book & start with a semantic map for the theme on Mondays. Good for vocabulary and ideas if kids want to use.
Q4 When and how do you set goals with your writers to move them forward?
A3 Anchor charts of ideas are helpful. Ex. A time when you were afraid, surprised, nervous, with examples of related mentor texts.
A3: I have a class set of journals that each have a prompt on them. Ss can choose 1 if they are stuck for ideas & can read others
A4: When conferencing...always walk away with something they should work on. I write it down on my notes.
Off topic, but does anyone use whole brain teaching in their room?
A4 much like guided reading - needs to be individual. Know stage and what to do to move on to next level. Parent involvement helps.
A4: I try to meet w 4-5 Ss a day, we discuss a goal during this time and I write notes about it/give them a visual to remember
A lot of great information on this chat! I'm a student studying Elementary Ed, and happy to take part in this chat tonight!
Is this a book or a website? It sounds like something I need. https://t.co/C8z69QTaEc
What's Next for This Beginning Writer? Is an amazing resource. Focuses on Kid Writing. Works well with Story workshop.
A4: We're just getting into goal setting now. I want them to set a goal before they write & then reflect/assess how they did
A4 Ask students what their goal might me to be a better writer. Focus only on that goal until reached, then create the next one.
A4 During conferencing... try connecting back to a rubric.
A4 writing conferences (which I need to get more consistent with)
I attempted a bit last spring
Exactly! Even if the only thing on my mind is proper letter formation at the moment, always praise and next step.
I have tried it before. I still use "class, class" :)
A4 Conferences-Then we post our writing goals and students change their goals when they show repeated evidence of meeting them.
Great to have you along, Alexis😊
A4: Also, when I assign writing...I do set up my expectation.
I try to do this during Daily 5 rotations - but it's hard work guided reading. Luckily, I have two placement students.
A4: would love some ideas from all of you!
A4 Conferencing and goal setting, I don't focus on correct spelling but rather their ideas, details, extending their thinking
A4 I'm not good at setting goals in writing with the Ss I need to get better at this.....it's much easier with reading and vocab.
A4 I use checklists from the Lucy Calkins UoS. Ss highlight 1 or 2 goals. Then we tape the checklist to writing folders .
Can you say more? Faige from Los Angeles. I'm doing some subbing in 1st so...
A4: Set goals for Ss after on demand assessment. On rubric I highlight in yellow where they are. Then green goals to work toward.
*with guided reading (as well).
New phone + autocorrect 😑
What are on the checklist?
This is a great teacher resource. Highly recommended. Has made a huge difference in the studs writing . https://t.co/yT1FvQact0
That's how the Ontario curriculum works. is great for spelling.
A4 I love it when I see my first graders looking at the goals their peers are working on and reflecting on their own goals.
I completely agree! Their writing is so developmental and I find that independence can be a struggle!
The traits are: ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice and conventions We model, show e… https://t.co/Qk6DI9RI4E
Can you say more? Faige from Los Angeles. I'm doing some subbing in 1st so...
Do your students have any say setting their goals? Maybe they need a colour too?
A4: We're using Responsibility Partners too. Ss are paired & their partner gives them Quality Boosters. Work in progress
great idea! I use orange at the end of the unit to show where they end. Amazing to see how much progress!
Q5 Why are partnerships important for young writers? How/when do you use them?
we have been working to help students set their goals. Self assessment is so important. They don't write for me.
this reminds me to remind you...you need to look into Student Treasure books, now is the time to order
A5 Partnerships can serve many purposes. They provide an audience for writers, partners offer feedback, and can help with editing.
A5: - writing goal for us .. let the thinking of how to implement this begin ...
By partnerships do you mean someone to write with or share writing with or get help from? Or all of the above?
A5: Collaboration is great in any subject. They are great Ts to one another. They can build on things.
https://t.co/C0faA7dDj5
Making Words is also great, I guess my point is that if we focus 2 much on correct sp. r reluctant writers won't write
A5: We use them daily, as it gives an authentic audience to the writing & makes it more collaborative & fun
Yes! Why have just one teacher in the room! We aer invested in helping each other improve.
Yes! Why have just one teacher in the room! We aer invested in helping each other improve.
A5 I see ss supporting each other with spelling. I like having them check each other's punctuations.
A5: helps Ss work harder, gives them an audience/coach, I need to get better at using these more often
This is something that I have to put in place! Maybe it would help keep whole class visiting down!
totally agree. For student led conferences my Ss set their goals and let their parents know what they want to work on.
When trained well...peer conferencing is great.
My class is a collborative environment. That's just how we roll. ;-) It's a win win for most.
A5 When writers work with partners and share what they're working on it also provide another way to generate ideas.
A5 partnerships work well to help both writers with spelling, mechanics, ideas. I often see the writing getting better.
I don't have to publish yet?
A5 Builds a trusting community sharing achievements & supporting their road there
What are some of your students' goals?
We aren't settled yet but in past my students were setting their goals through out the year.
Effective way to later assess student's goals and acheivements!
A5b:Responsibility Partners makes peer collaboration part of who we are. Quality Boosters make us better!
A5 Partners become more motivated to finish stories when they know they'll be sharing them with their partners.
A5: We use partnerships throughout writing process. Love hearing students verbalize their stories to one another before writing.
Me too. I tried them one year, but let them fizzle out. Need to try again. Maybe this will be the year! :-)
A5 My ss love reading their writing to a partner.
We even discuss how to set a purpose for the conference by telling our partners what they should help with/listen for.
iThink that starts mid year when u get an ðŸ’of Ss writing independently.
The rehearsal is an important piece. https://t.co/jVs3VdvMZV
A5: We use partnerships throughout writing process. Love hearing students verbalize their stories to one another before writing.
Q6 What tips would you share with other writing teachers that you have found helpful?
How do you pick partners? Like abilities or high/ low?
Just checked out this site, looks cool, ordered a kit for my class for our information writing.
Listening to your answers in to A6 friends
Yes, like abilities. Then higher writers are not bored or try to take over. https://t.co/0fgRpKcXQo
How do you pick partners? Like abilities or high/ low?
A6 My students write better when given time to make their story first < drawing pictures is what we've done so far but ...
A6 look online for Nancy Fetzer---super resource for interactive writing and other tips! She has videos on her site also
A6: make your minilesson short, allow for ample indep. wriitng time for Ss to practice their craft
A5 At r school we have Learning Partners where a lower grade links up with a junior class, work on reading /writing & other things
A6 2/2 I like the idea of creating a story in loose parts (or classroom items) talking about it, then writing.
A6 use books 2 show elements of good writing Like great openings pick up great picture book & the first sentence is usually great2
A6 Short mini lesson to focus on one step at the time. Practice together then independent writing.
A6 Tip: Teach the writer not the writing. What you teach them should be transferrable to other pieces of writing.
A6 We often chat before we write, some document chat with lists to help w/writing , or...we draw
A6: biggest thing is to teach them to be indep, don't need T to write, takes time but so important
Did you see if it's USA only? I'm too afraid to look. That is too often the case.
A6 I would like to have a collection/bank wall where we jot down great beginning or ending, good phrases from read aloud books.
My biggest concern is for my extremely low Ss and their partners.
A6 Accepting when kids say they're done without pushing 4many revisions that can seem 2them that something is wrong I'm done is ok
A6 Another great tip is that sharing is as important as the writing itself.....the audience is a great motivator to a young writer
6: Let them write! Let them choose topic! Model, use models, use rubrics and score writing together. Teach them to read as a writer
A6 Rehearsal is important for early writers and supports the organization. Don't underestimate its importance.
A6 Be a writer yourself. Share your stories with the kids. Let them see your writing process. Let them know you are a writer too!
I totally agree. Glad you mentioned this! https://t.co/TSN6q837m6
A6 Be a writer yourself. Share your stories with the kids. Let them see your writing process. Let them know you are a writer too!
It says "province" and British Colombia is a choice!!
A6 Let Ss know that they have stories to tell. Make them feel valued as writers.
A6: Never I'm done, improve make your writing even better, don't get that comment anymore
I do my best teaching when I'm writing in my personal life.
A6: use many tools! paper, and digital tools
I have that concern also, I still have about 4 that are not able to write words
A6 Give students a purpose for their writing. Make sure that others get to read it (besides the teacher).
A6: One of my most reluctant writers grew so much because of
A6: another tip is to let them choose what to write, hate when Ts tell Ss what they have to write about, Engagement decreases
aybe a variety of partners would be a help? Sometimes a high, sometimes low? Just thinking here!
Many weekends, I think about what I'm going to write and share with my Ss
Q7 What has been an Aha! moment for you related to primary writers or writers in general?
Yes! Choice is so important.
I so agree too. I write in front of my Ss a lot.
Try creating a guided writing group for your students that need extra support. Focus on meeting their needs
Sounds like a great idea to me! We change partners every 2 weeks.
Yes! Blogging has changed the life of many of my developing writers over the past several years.
Q7 is on deck! The last question of the night.
Drawings may be where they're at and can show more in dialogue/communication
A6: I like my sis to read their writing to me in then Ps & other Ss can see it and comment
A7 Writing is tough for many, and particularly for children whose brains move more quickly than their hands!
Speech bubbles are great start for teaching dialogue. Ex. Mo Willems
A7: Audience is huge to every reader. We write to be heard. Be sure to give them an audience. Celebrate often.
A7: Empowering the writer puts skill development into overdrive! Ss love to have their author's voice heard!
I like using labels as a beginning stage of writing! Never give up! They will get there sometime!
I have two boys writing a comic book for Hour of Empower...love that!
True, tech can help with this https://t.co/TRTw22Kzfo
A7 Writing is tough for many, and particularly for children whose brains move more quickly than their hands!
A7 Students can work on same goal across units if they need to.If a unit ends & goal isn't met, continue working on it in new unit.
