Posted on 11/07/2009 by debrennersmith
This is a link to a great write up about one of Lucy’s units of study: fiction. I am always searching for references to Lucy’s units since many of the teachers I work with use the units as a resource.
http://bestbookihavenotread.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/unit-of-study-fiction-writing-grades-3-5/
Filed under: writing | Tagged: Anchor Texts, craft lessons, Debra Renner Smith, Lucy Calkins, Mentor Texts, mini-lesson, small moment, small moments, Units of Study, writing, writing mini-lesson, Writing Mini-Lessons, Writing Workshop | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 07/28/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftUse a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Conjunctions are connectors that link equal words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions cue readers in on the relationships. (Jeff Anderson, Mechanically Inclined)
Conjunctions spell out the acronym FANBOYS:ForAndNorButOrYetSo
Do writers need this? Maybe, maybe not! However, on most [...]
Filed under: Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, writing | Tagged: compound sentences, craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons | 3 Comments »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftA simile is a technique that the author uses to describe the unknown by comparing it to the known. Authors use similes to describe something quickly rather than writing a long description.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, writing | Tagged: craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, simile, Writing Mini-Lessons | 2 Comments »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftNotice that the author uses a variety of different lengths of sentences.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, writing | Tagged: craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, vary sentence length, Writing Mini-Lessons | 3 Comments »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the Craft
When the writer wants the reader to picture a moment in time, the writer will describe the sounds, the smells, the specific action. Often the writer will pretend to take a snapshot or a photograph of the setting and visualize it. What do you see in this moment of time? How will you [...]
Filed under: Barry Lane, Mentor Texts, craft lessons | Tagged: Barry Lane, craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Snapshots, Writing Mini-Lessons | 1 Comment »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftNotice that the author uses a special font for emphasis when writing.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, craft lessons, writing | Tagged: craft lessons, grammar, italics, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons | 2 Comments »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftHomophones – As writers we have to think about the meanings of words.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, craft lessons | Tagged: craft lessons, grammar, homophones, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the Craft ApostrophesThe contraction shows the reader that a letter was left out and two words were put together. We use contractions all the time when we speak. The apostrophe marks the spot where the letters were taken out.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons, Writing Workshop, craft lessons, writing, writing minilesson | Tagged: apostrophes in contractions, craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons | 2 Comments »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftA complete thought that tells who and what did you do. A two word sentence tells who and what you did.
Filed under: Mentor Texts, craft lessons | Tagged: craft lessons, grammar, Jeff Anderson, Mentor Texts, Writing Mini-Lessons | 2 Comments »
