Amy Cordova

Yesterday, the students had a chance to see where their digital storytelling projects were going.  I created a sample story, along with a Powerpoint, and shared.  The students were so excited.   The students then returned to their  spots and worked with their partners.  3 groups completed their dialogs.  The next step was to work on transition paragraphs to introduce the dialogs.

This week, while completing testing, I felt my students needed a project that would be fun and still teach writing skills. Therefore, I decided to have my students work with a partner to create a dialogue. The dialogue would be written with quotation marks. After our dialogues are finished, we will create mini-movies using PowerPoint andSmartBoard. (I have to work with the software on my computer.)

<> On day 1, we used bubbl.us to create a word web together of possible topics of conversation. Then, the students created word webs of their own, with a partner, of a topic of conversation of their choice. I suggested that they divide it into two parts - one for each partner. Some of the students took this suggestion, others did not.

On day 2, I taught a mini-lesson on using quotation marks. I then modeled one part of the conversation between my two people. The students went back to their spot in the room and completed one part of their conversation. I then scanned the conversations into the computer so we could edit on day 3.

On day 3, we edited, as a class, each groups first dialogue. This was very powerful. By the time we finished all of the dialogues , 75% of the students were getting it. The students then returned to their spots and worked on part 2 and 3 of their dialogues.

Today is day 4. Hopefully, the students will finish all 3 parts of their dialogues.

Today, we are completing day 4 of 5 for SAT 10 testing.  My students are soooooo brain dead.  Next week will be a huge challenge as we re-instate our normal schedule and work from there.  This is the first year in which we have given the SAT 10.  Previously, we used Terra Nova as our wrap-around test.  It is my opinon that the SAT 10 is longer and more difficult.  I worry about the results.  I know my students will do well, overall.  However, I am not sure how many of my parents understand the results of a nationally standardized achievement test.  This should be interesting.

This week in computer lab, I wanted my students to practice their writing skills using a writing prompt.  And, I wanted the students to be excited about it.  SO, I decided to give them 5-6 topics to choose from and use Publisher.  First, we opened up a blank document.  Next, we set up the page so there was a 2.5″ border around the entire page.  Finally, the students put a text box in the center of the page, using their guide lines.  Then, they were turned loose.  The students were to write a story using one of the topics listed on the board.  After writing a story, they were to add pictures of their choosing.  One of the first questions was, “Can we use any genre?”  We have been talking about genres and it was so exciting to have them use the vocabulary.  While there were many good stories, two were exemplary.  One was a poem that included rhyming and text features.  The other was a nice fantasy story with wonderful word choice and correct use of punctuation.  Remember, I teach 2nd grade, so this was truly impressive.  I will attach them on Monday, when I return to school.