Oct 06
If there’s one topic that instantly gets upper elementary students talking, it’s superheroes. Instead of battling their obsession (we all remember the Great Spider-Man Drawing Phase of September), why not harness it for learning? These superhero writing activities turn capes, villains, and secret identities into creative writing gold. I’ve pulled together five of my favorite …
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Sep 28
Persuading students to write can sometimes feel like convincing your dog to take a bath. You offer snacks, encouragement, maybe a pleading tone… and they still look at you like, “Are you serious?” Luckily, switching up writing prompts can work wonders. When students get excited about what they’re writing, their pencils (and imaginations) start to …
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Sep 15
Getting students to write with purpose, voice, and a clear sense of audience can be challenging. That’s where the RAFT writing strategy comes in. It’s your secret weapon for turning “What do I write?” into “I’ve got this!” Lesson Handout This handout includes all the RAFT examples in student-ready format. Just print and teach. Get …
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Jul 21
Teaching author’s purpose is more than just PIE (persuade, inform, entertain), though pie does sound delicious. In this lesson, you’ll find four student‑approved activities that go beyond the basics, including a hands‑on foldable, a PowerPoint with matching cards, a free Boom Learning practice, and an irresistible doughnut‑themed writing project. Because nothing motivates writing like sugar. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=325
Jan 28
Inventor’s Day is the perfect opportunity to blend creativity, research, and writing in your classroom. These three high‑interest Inventor’s Day writing activities help students explore fascinating inventions, trace the evolution of technology, and discover how simple ideas became million‑dollar successes. Each project includes a writing component and ends with a bulletin board display that showcases …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1549
Mar 11
Famous People Interviews is one of my students’ favorite writing activities. In this project, each student is assigned an important historical figure to research. After gathering information, the student prepares a timeline, summarizes a speech, and writes thoughtful interview questions. Then comes the fun part—students step into character and role-play their famous figure while classmates …
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