Product Swap #4

I believe this is the fourth product swap, and each time has been a very different experience for me! This time I was paired with Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog. She is an 8th grade teacher and was very helpful to work with.

When I began to browse her store, I saw that she had a variety of book reports for different genres. Since I'm not a regular classroom teacher, I don't actually assign book reports. However, I saw potential for using the realistic fiction reading assignment in class with my kids. Here's a thumbnail of the item.

Now, let me note that this was created for middle school. Since I have grades 3-5, I did not use this assignment the way it was intended. We did the activity as a class with a picture book, and we did not write a paper, at least not yet. I will say that using the format, I believe even my third graders could come up with 4 basic paragraphs. Honestly, we just didn't have time to do all of that with testing coming up.

Here's the book we used. So sweet!

Reading the book with my adorable 3rd graders - I don't know what my face is about. It was actually a very pleasant day!

The assignment focuses on 4 R's: Retell, Relate, Reflect, and Review. Kristy directed me to a freebie that is related to this packet found here. I used a graphic organizer in this packet to help students organize their writing. In the first packet Kristy sent me, there were instructions on how to guide students through each section. After we read the book, students began to fill out their graphic organizers. They were able to do this with very little instruction from me past the quick explanation once they began each section.

Working diligently! 

We need to work on handwriting and spelling, but I think he did a great job with the 4 R's!

Another sample: Why DOESN'T the old woman name her purse and clothes? For the record, he decided she should name the purse "Lorraine". How funny! Oh, and Rex is the cat he kept feeding.

I loved how this assignment covered four very important areas for reading, and I feel like this is something you could use for multiple genres. Plus the kids enjoyed it! They were very excited about sharing their reflections and connections.

Alright, go check out Kristy's blog, and then follow the linky party to see what products other people are reviewing! I can't wait to find some more new treasures!

Product Swap with Teacher Mom of 3

It's product swap time again!

This time I had the luck of being matched with Lauren at Teacher Mom of 3. She's amazing if you haven't already visited her blog! And she's a reading specialist like me!

Anyway, I chose to review her Perfect Gift writing activity. I loved this, and it was perfect to do with my students for the beginning of the year. First, we started with a lesson where I told them that I had a gift for them, but it was something that couldn't be seen. We discussed the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, and then we read the writing prompt together.

Lauren really thought about how to help writers prepare for their assignment. She created a great system that we completed together. Students list their Form, Audience, Topic, and Purpose for writing.

We did this together and talked about how it was something they could use to prepare for a writing assignment any time. This was especially important for my 5th graders who take a writing SOL in the spring.

Once we knew what we were going to write about, it was time to brainstorm, or "Drain Your Brain". Once again, we did this together (mainly because my students are not very confident and need a little extra help). On the board, I had them help me come up with some abstract nouns (I told them to think of character traits) that they might want to work on this year to help them be a better student. My two most popular were patience and self-control, although I had some others as well (effort, kindness, etc). Students put a star by the one they felt was most important for them to work on this year.

The next day, I had them work on organizing their thoughts with a four-block page that Lauren included.

Here's a close up.

Once they finished filling that out, I had them form the block ideas into a paragraph. Since the lines on the paper were made for younger students, I had mine simply cut out their writing and glue it in the middle of the paper. Then they decorated their gift boxes (some were very artistic), and we put them up in the room to remind us throughout the year. Unfortunately I left Friday and forgot to take a picture, so I quickly put one together this morning as an example. The kids really enjoyed this, and I'm hoping they continue to think about it as the year goes on.

Lauren has many other great products, so please go check out her store and blog! And don't forget to visit Jessica's blog to see all the other great products that other bloggers are reviewing!

Oh, and in honor of the product swap, I'm hosting a giveaway. Lauren is reviewing my pumpkin writing craftivity, and one lucky blogger will have a chance to win it!


a Rafflecopter giveaway