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Spring Workshop 1: Jan 18 - Feb 11, 2011

Week 1: Giggling with Grammar:
Reviewing parts of speech with Mad Libs.

  • Review parts of speech together as a class.
  • Do a Mad Lib together as a class.
  • Split up in partners and do two more Mad Libs.
  • Assignment: Write a unique paragraph (or story). Remove descriptive adjectives, verbs, nouns, or other "special" words (colors, body parts, famous people).
  • Read aloud previous week's assignment, if desired.
  • Relevant CA Standards: Grade 2: 1.3 Identify and correctly use various parts of speech, including nouns and verbs, in writing and speaking.

 

Week 2: Ahoy mateys! Landlubbers keep out! "X" marks the spot. Find the lost treasure and write your own pirate story

  • Read aloud "How I Became a Pirate."
  • Discuss common "elements" of pirate stories (treasure, map, ship, jolly roger flag, pirates with names like Black Beard, Peg Leg Pete, etc.).
  • Participate in a classroom treasure hunt using rhyming clues.
  • Draw a treasure map using the blank template. Use the Pirate Profile worksheet to begin developing a pirate character.
  • Assignment: Use the map, pirate profile, and classroom activities as a model for a pirate story.
  • Read aloud previous week's assignment, if desired.
  • Relevant CA Standards: Grade 5: 1.1 Create multiple-paragraph narrative compositions: a. Establish and develop a situation or plot. b. Describe the setting. c. Present an ending.

 

Week 3: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Create your own candy-making room inside the factory.

  • Read an excerpt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
  • Work on the "Sweet Inspiration" worksheet, in which students develop a new treat/candy/cake for Willy Wonka's factory.
  • Review how to write a persuasive letter. Read aloud a sample persuasive letter to Willy Wonka.
  • Assignment: Use the Persuasive Letter Outline to write a letter to Wonka, trying to convince him to manufacture your new treat.
  • Read aloud previous week's assignment, if desired.
  • Relevant CA Standards: Grade 5: 2.4 Write persuasive letters or compositions: a. State a clear position in support of a proposal. b. Support a position with relevant evidence

 

Week 4: Silly Synonyms & Awesome Antonyms: Rewriting a story using synonyms and then antonyms.

  • Review synonyms and antonyms.
  • Students use post-it notes to post synonyms and antonyms for words posted around the room.
  • Read excerpts from Little House in the Big Woods and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
  • Use the worksheet to replace verbs and adjectives from the excerpts with synonyms and antonyms.
  • Assignment: Select a page from a favorite book, and photocopy or type it up. Remove descriptive adjectives or verbs, and replace them with synonyms (or antonyms).
  • Read aloud previous week's assignment, if desired.
  • Relevant CA Standards: Grade 2: 1.7 Understand and explain common antonyms and synonyms. Grade 5: 1.3 Understand and explain frequently used synonyms, antonyms, and homographs.