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: Debra Renner Smith, Lucy Calkins, writing, small moments, Writing Mini-Lessons, Writing Workshop, mini-lesson, small moment, Units of Study, writing mini-lesson, Anchor Texts, Mentor Texts, craft lessons | 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: Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, Mentor Texts, Jeff Anderson, craft lessons, compound sentences | 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.
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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: Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, Mentor Texts, Jeff Anderson, craft lessons, vary sentence length | 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: Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, Mentor Texts, Jeff Anderson, Barry Lane, craft lessons, Snapshots | 1 Comment »
Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftNotice that the author uses a special font for emphasis when writing.
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Posted on 07/27/2008 by debrennersmith
Name the CraftHomophones – As writers we have to think about the meanings of words.
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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: Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, Mentor Texts, Jeff Anderson, craft lessons, apostrophes in contractions | 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: Writing Mini-Lessons, grammar, Mentor Texts, Jeff Anderson, craft lessons | 2 Comments »