Hi Kids!
I just got home from training teachers who want to be better writing
teachers. We had so much fun! One of the neatest things we did together was to
take a "Skill Safari" to revise our writing. We divided the group into four
sections: the waterfall, the snakes, the jaguars, and the monkeys. Each group
had a special sound to make that went with their character. I gave each of the
106 teachers a special pencil and a glow stick. I put on binoculars and a
pith helmet. Then we turned all the lights out at once.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I said. Come with me into the jungle...We can
hear the sound of the waterfall (sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh), the snakes
(s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s), the jaguars (yee-OW--yee--OW), and the monkeys (oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo).
In the jungle, we have to carry our light with us. Break your glow sticks NOW."
You should have seen the eerie green glow creep over the room as 106
teachers broke their glow sticks at exactly the same time. You couldn't see
anyone's face---just the glow sticks casting their spooky green glow. We used the
glow sticks to light up our papers and look for----you guessed it---writing
skills! Yes, we looked for similes, metaphors, dialogue, hyperbole,
alliteration, strong verbs, sizzling vocabulary, and more. Talk about a cool
experience! Revising our papers was spectacular!
You can do this same activity in your classroom with your teacher. While
you are in "the jungle," look for individual writing skills to make your
writing better.
Have you started the Race Around Florida? Check out the photos on this
web page. You'll find some fascinating facts about the state of Florida!
Your friend,
Melissa Forney
7 comments:
The "Skill Safari" was so much fun! The teachers at Keystone Elem. School in Clay County LOVED it! We are just finishing up our Race Around FLorida Suitcases. The kids are SO EXCITED! THANK YOU, Melissa!
Thank you for your spirit of open sharing and creating ideas on the spot! Not only did we learn ‘exquisite‘ new writing techniques for our students, but you shared many success stories in a manner that enabled us to build an environment so our students may succeed.
Clay County was extremely fortunate to spend two days with you before school began. Thank you for coming and putting the ‘sizzle‘ back into teaching!
Ilah
Melissa,
I would like to thank you for the amazing techniques and strategies showed during your seminar. I can't express how excited I am. I can't wait to show my students all the amazing things I learned.
Thank you, and thanks for your commitment to our children.
Hope to see you soon in my school,
Kelly
Melissa,
Thank you for the energy and passion that you shared with us in West Palm. Each strategy illustrated the "fun" in teaching children. The kids are very excited about writing, and I can't wait to have even more fun in class!
If you are ever in Boca, please stop by at ADHUS.
Thanks,
Gina
WOW! Escambia County will never be the same. We are so fired up for writing! Thank you for providing a mertorious workshop. I just been in my class 2 days since your seminar and have already used several skills. SIZZLE, SIZZLE It is getting hot in here! (laughing)
God bless you Melissa
Angie
COOL HI MY NAME IS NIALAH THE KIDS AT CHAIRS LOVED IT U KNOW THE SKILL SAFARI. I LOVED IT I REALLY REALLY DID.
HI,MS.MELISSA FORNEY MY NAME IS NIALAH LASHUNDRA ROBINSON AND I GO TO CHAIRS ELE.I AM IN THE FOURTH GRADE AND I HOPE MY NAME GET PULLED FOR THE 500 DALLORS. MY TEACHER NAME IS VICKI HUSTON YOU SHOULD KNOW HER.SHE IS A VERY PRETTY.IF I WIN THE 500 DALLORS I WOULD GET MY ENTIRE FAMILY SOMETHING.GOD BLESS YOU. AND HAVE A GREAT X-MAS.
Post a Comment