Can you give me some ideas on writing prompts/starters for 5 graders?
970235
I taught 5th grade a few yrs ago. I liked using their literature stories and have the students pick a character and write the story from a different perspective. You can also allow them to write about their hobby,how would someone describe you if they came into your room and didn't know you?What will you be involved in in high school? What is your goal for 30 yrs of age? Write about fav sportsman. Who is their hero? What is a hero? Feelings about America? I once did a story on a bag of marshmallows and they wrote from the marshmallows veiw. It was a good topic. You can use everyday objects and lay one on each desk. Recently I had my grandkids write a story about 3 items that I picked for them. The items had nothing in common but they wrote great stories. They also made a story plan by filling out a form with the characters,problem,2 paragraphs about how to solve the problem,how it was solved, and wraping up in the last paragragh. The next time I let them pick the items but it took them forever to get them. I think they were trying to think up a story while looking for the items. I was actually working with one grandson who was behind in reading due to ADHD( Delux!). He learned some from the new ideas I found for him and it was nice that the others of about the same age wrote with him.PBS.com is where I got some of my ideas(games,worksheets,books) to help him this summer so he got caught up. "Mrs.McGowen Lots About Reading" in the PBS site is a great source and has many ideas on all subjects. Best wishes! I miss teaching but have my hands full with grandkids!
932632
this is just an idea but with elections coming up and all how about YOU pick out a bunch of diffrent stories from the magazine and hand them out in class. tell your students that they are the new president and this matter was brought to thier attention, now they, as the new pres., have to deside what needs to be done next and how the matter could be solved or how they could keep it from happening again... i think that would be a little more interesting for them to write and for you to read later on!\nhope this helps!\nand please do excuse my spelling and grammer!!!!
792553
PRINTABLE WORKSHEET LINKS\n\n\nhttp://www.sitesforteachers.com/index2.html\n\nhttp://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/resources/\n\nhttp://www.underfives.co.uk/\n\nhttp://familyfun.go.com/printables/\n\nhttp://www.akidsheart.com/\n\nhttp://www.akidsheart.com/color.htm\n\nhttp://www.preschoolprintables.com/\n\nhttp://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/\n\nhttp://www.ezschool.com/worksheets/\n\nhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/\n\nhttp://school.discovery.com/\n\nhttp://www.schoolexpress.com/ \n\nhttp://www.abcteach.com/\n\nhttp://www.kidsdomain.com/ \n\nhttp://choreworksheetsforkids.com/\n\nhttp://www.beginningreading.com/\nhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/\n11 Free printable worksheets for students through 5th grade\n\nhttp://tlsbooks.com/historyworksheets.htm\nFree Blank Outline Maps of the Countries and Continents of the World\nhttp://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxindex.htm?once=true&\n\nCalendars\n\nhttp://www.printablecalendar.ca/\n\nhttp://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT061993171033.aspx\n\nhttp://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT011377341033.aspx\n\n\nCurriculum, Lesson Plans, Colouring Links & Fun Stuff.\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanspage.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.crayola.com/educators/lessons/index.cfm\n\nhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/\n\nhttp://www.rhymes.org.uk/\n\nhttp://www.didyouknow.org/animals/animals.htm\n\nhttp://www.allpopularsites.com/cartoons.htm\n\nhttp://www.coloring-page.com/\n\nhttp://www.coloring.ws/\n\nhttp://www.funbrain.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.letsreadclyde.com/\n\nhttp://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/\n\nhttp://www.starfall.com\n\nhttp://www.pbskids.org\n\nhttp://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/3-5.htm\n\nhttp://www.schoolexpress.com/\n\nhttp://gamequarium.com/\n\nhttp://jambav.com/\n\nhttp://www.fisher-price.com/us/\n\nhttp://www.allpopularsites.com/kids.htm\n\nLESSON PLANS\n\nhttp://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/resourcematerials/Resources/\n\nhttp://go.hrw.com/ndNSAPI.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?sr9+rubrics\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanz.com/\n\nhttp://www.sitesforteachers.com/\n\nhttp://www.4teachers.org/\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanet.com/\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanspage.com/\n\nhttp://www.teachingideas.co.uk/\n\nhttp://www.canteach.ca/\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanspage.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.lessonplanspage.com/WriteLessonPlan.htm\n\nGood luck for the future.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, England.
946036
it depends on how long it is supposed to be. If it is five paragraph essay, you could make an outline first, with the roman numerals being \nI. Why teens have homework problems\nII. What the problems are\nIII. How the problems affect their grades\nIV. How they can solve the problem\nV. How solving the problem would effect their grades.\n That is just one example of what you could do. Then elaborate by writing 3-5 sentences about each roman numeral
29037
You can try something like this: http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/\nOr for a book report: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/media/hh/pdfs/ideaorganizers/book_report_ideaorg.pdf
328745
Start with a story hour  some willing to sit will kids for an hour and read... have a site with stories animations and music  a learning process, free with no spam
654461
Type up a mock day-schedule. Include things like Ice-breakers to learn student names, review what the students did over the summer, review what they learned last year...things of that nature. Make it colorful. If you want to go all out, make a colorful poster with everything on it.
1158961
I just took a college adolescent literature class and learned lots of fun things.  Is your assignment to do a creative book report?  I had to do 3 of them.  On one I used the "Real story of the Three Little Pigs".  I did a puppet show.  It was fun to do but took quite a bit of time.  I also did a book box once.  You read a story, I used "The Whipping Boy", and put 5 or so things in a box, or container from the story.  I used a basket for my container and put a loaf of bread, a crown, a Mr. Potato Head and a few other things in it.  You will have to read the book to understand.  The last one I did was the sequel to "Holes", "Small Steps".  I made a poster filled with clip art pictures from the computer of things from the book and called it an I Spy.  Then I cut out the letters for small steps and glued over the items.  It is meant to be a creative way to tell about a book you read instead of the boring old writing of a two page book report.  The thing to remember is to pick a book you like and have fun.
161747
Third grade kids love exploring and finding out about the world.  If you have access to pond water for example,  collect some and have them examine drops of the water under a microscope and then draw what they see.  Have them do it as a real "lab" experiment so that they also write about their observations, label their drawings, etc.  Do a class write up of their observations with each child contributing something to the class write up.  You could continue with a discussion of why we don't drink pond water, etc.  I have used this lesson very successfully with kids from about second grade to eighth grade.  It is one of the most awesome lessons I have used, and with some classes we have carried on activities related to it for days.\n\nTo sdd to what I wrote previously, her eis an answer I wrote for someone who asked for some suggestions on presenting ... some of htis might be basic for you, but some might help ...\n\nMake sure you project your voice, and make your voice interesting and expressive. Speak clearly, and slower than you would if you were just chatting with friends. Don't move around while speaking - try to stand in one spot, which makes it easier for those listening. Don't fidget. Try to use some humor. Use an ice breaker for the beginning of your presentation. One good one is to get everyone to tell something they have done that they think no one else in the room has done. You find out lots of interesting stuff about the group. Start on time and finish on time. Get their attention - don't try to talk over a lot of noise. Find ways to involve them - try to plan some activity that will teach them something and that will fit well in your time frame. Dress in a manner that suits your topic. \n\nGood luck!
365994
I would bring some age-appropriate materials to give them a sense of how our language mixes with our culture.\n\nSomething like a menu from McDonald's or KFC would be ideal as they are most likely well aware of may items on the menu in their own language.\n\nYou could also introduce them to some American summer camp ideas like different camp foods, games and classic sing-along songs.\n\nThe key is to engage them as directly as possible and encourage them to interact utilizing the language as much as possible.\n\nIn terms of "what" you should teach, I think it is prudent to see where they are coming form.  Many of them may already have a basic understanding of English.  Context may be the issue there.  If they are staring with NO vocabulary, start with the conversational basics.
158110
I like onewhitewhiskar's answer.  She has given you some good ideas.\n\nI would suggest you keep it simple.  Sometimes if you try to make it too convoluted or put too much in there, the writing just doesn't work.  Unless you are really good at making up stuff, don't try to get into complicated plots and stories.  Write about what you know.  Write as if you are telling a story.  Think aobut how you would tell it to someone, and then write it down that way.  \n\nOk, now stop and think for a minute.  Think about some of the most interesting or funny or different things that have happened to you.  Have you gone on a special trip?  Have you visited an interesting place?  Do you have a pet that does really funny stuff?  How about your neighborhood?  Are there odd characters?  Have you been on a boat trip?  Did your grandparents do something speical or different?  Have they ever talked to you about how things were when they were your age?  What's your favorite thing to do - do you have a special hobby you can write about?  Is there  something you know a lot about that others might be interested in? \n\nYou see, people can write well about things that are very familiar to them.  I will give you a few "starter" sentences to think about, but make up one of your own if none of these work for you.\n\n"As I walked home from school last week I saw the strangest thing around the corner from my house."  \n\n"Last summer I visited ...."\n\n"Have you ever watched .... bees at their hive .... or salmom in a stream .... puppies playing .... shooting stars ... waves on the beach ..... sailboats .... the sidewalk market on Saturday .... your brother's baseball game .... someone making dinner .... fourth of July fireworks ..."\n\n"I'm really looking forward to ...."\n\n"My best friend is .... "\n\n"The most fun I ever had was when ....."\n\n"Yesterday my dog .... "\n\nSome final thoughts ... jot down some thoughts and ideas about your topic first.  Do an INternet search to see if you get some more ideas about your topic.   \nI hope this helps you think about what you might do for your writing project.
661829
Do one for Because of Winn-Dixie! It's one of my favorite books. You could do the scene where Winn-Dixie and Opal come to the pet store and Otis is playing his guitar and all the pets are still and quiet and then they go crazy!\n\nI'm not going to write it for you, but here's how it could start:\n\nOPAL: "Well, it's our first day working for Otis, Winn-Dixie. Let's go to the pet store."\nWINN-DIXIE: "Woof!"\nOPAL: (whistles as they walk to the pet store) Here we are!\n(Otis is playing the guitar. The animals are spellbound.)\n\nYou write the rest!
210272
Zanar-bloser is a good program\nPalmer is similar\nD'Nelian is ok\nHandwriting for kids is online and printable (see link)
146170
I write too, but anyway, it depends on the age of the group. If the writers are still in elementary school, then really showing how to write paragraphs can be very helpful. For older people, perhaps try showing them how to use better language. For exapmle, if a sentence reads, "The army burned the city after a short fight," you could use better language to turn that into, "The large military force marched to the city, and after quickly disbanding all of the enemy troops, they razed the city to the ground." So, focusing on the most descriptive words you can come up with, and making sure to vary your words (nouns/pronouns, etc.). Hope that helps, and good luck.
611694
I'm a teacher, too, and I like some of these ideas.  I made cartoony looking fruit faces on my color printer with the kids' names and laminated them and put holes in the top with a string.  I then put a plate with real fruits on it on each table (mine were square-not that it matters) Some of the fruits were cut up.  As children came into the room, I put the fruit necklaces on them and told them they had to find their new "bowl" and not to touch.  Everyone who "played nice" and followed all the rules got to share in the fruity snacks!  Now,  we use the necklaces on cubbies and chairs and for play teams and the like.  Other things could work with this method, too, like sports balls, cartoon characters, stuffed critters, etc.  You just need a good clip art pack!
1139688
Well, it depends on what you mean.  If you are teaching some sort of English class, you could encourage students by giving them choices of genres to write in (let them write any kind of thing  ex: I have seen English teachers do a "Picture Response" project.  You have each child choose their own picture, then they write a short story or poem based on the picture.  This way, they can write the way they like, as it can be any genre).  Also, if your students dislike using computers, you could always lower grades for not using them, or take off points for spelling; then inform them of spell-checks in word processors.  Now, if you are a computers teacher, you could try the new game-like typing programs.  In my experience, they help the students have fum while typing, which I believe helps them learn quicker, and enjoy typing.  I hope that helps you...
833564
try an alliteration, something cathcy for them to remember, such as "All About Amazing Animals" or something along the lines of that.