Wow, what a well thought out and helpful video. I am a homeschool mom and will be adapting and implementing these ideas with my 10 and 13 years old children. This video has wonderful resources, thank you!
This year I am going to incorporate a Daily 5 model with mini lessons instead of full 20-30 minute lessons. I love the idea of making writing a mini-lesson! I plan to use a writing notebook and the anchor charts a perfect to shrink down and add to their notebooks so they always have access.
I've heard a lot of teachers say they print our filled in anchor charts two to a page so that they fit into a composition notebook. I really love that idea!
I love the idea of whole group answering. Next year will be a huge struggle since my class time is being cut to 46 minutes for both reading and writing. Ugh!
That is so short! When you get into your classroom, feel free to email me if you need help trying to balance the two. It'll be tight, but maybe we can figure out how to split them up and still fit it all in.
English includes grammar and writing, alternating between chapters. We are very grammar focused, so trying to properly teach writing while still honoring our grammar lessons is my challenge. I know that my writing instruction needs to improve, so I am up for the challenge. I appreciate the resources you have provided here.
It's a hard balance. If we focus mostly on grammar, our structural skills don't get practiced. If we skip grammar, we have problems as well. It's all about making them work together!
My classes are right at 40 minutes. I find it difficult to get it all in. Love the fact you suggest students answer engagement questions as whole group after the mini lesson.
I always have trouble keeping my lessons in the allotted time, because I was trying to fit the writing and participating in all together. I am going to start prioritizing participation, now , and hopefully that will help the mini lessons stay within the allotted time.
You may also benefit from splitting up the lessons you're teaching into smaller skills. I found that I was always trying to cram too many different things in!
Time is a struggle but test data shows we have to start making time. I have your lessons. I’m going to have to really push time for doing the lessons! They are awesome lessons!
I absolutely love this April! My favorite take-away was the whole group share! What a brilliant and quick idea to get everyone engaged and participating. Can't wait for the next video!
I had really never thought about having it drawn out before use. I am a new teacher, and I am always seeing anchor charts and having no clue how to utilize them correctly. I am thankful that you modeled this in your video!
In the past, I've found myself really distracted by these artsy anchor charts that there's no way I had the time or ability to draw. Keeping it simple is really important, and getting the framework set beforehand so that you can go straight into the lesson is a good time-saver!
I love the idea of providing the notes for the students, so you will have their attention (while you model), from beginning to end. This ensures they'll be able to grasp the concepts, (hopefully) instead of trying to write down those notes. It is really a hassle and a waste of time that can be utilized in a better way.
I teach mini-lessons, but my biggest problem is encouraging and motivating reluctant writers. Once the lesson is presented, I have students who will do anything to keep from writing!
I think we've all been there, especially lately! A checklist can help a lot + having students discuss with a partner or a group to get ideas flowing. Usually it's a lack of confidence in writing, which is why I love doing a writing stamina unit for these kiddos too!
My biggest struggle is having enough time to teach writing at all. I am a special education teacher and my research based reading program focuses very little on writing which is so very sad. My ELA block is usually 45 minutes total. I have purchased your program so that I can be more deliberate about teaching writing in the fall.
I struggle with time and fitting everything into the time I have my students. I split my day so I have two groups each day and I teach ELA and Social Studies.
Students are engaged during my mini lesson. However, once they head to their seats and begin working, the chaos begins! Most of the kiddos need so much help I have a hard time getting to all of them!
For writing, I have tried mini lessons. I get stuck on the scope and sequence of things. I also often have my students asking over and over again what they should be doing, even though I have said it, and I post my directions visually. I am hoping to spend part of my summer to create more of a flow to my writing block.
I totally get this! Having relevant curriculum is so important. There’s only so much you can do to spruce it up if it’s not written with engagement in mind. 😩
Your comments about note-taking really hit home--I realized how much time I waste waiting for a couple of students while the rest of the class just sat there waiting.
Yes, I usually do a 10-15 minute mini-lesson for writing. The biggest struggle is getting students to apply the content of the mini-lesson in their own writing without my constant supervision.
For the past few year we have not really had a writing program, so my biggest struggle has been consistency in lesson flow. Looking forward to some great information.
I struggle with fitting everything into my LAR periods. I don't think I was an affective writing teacher this year. I need to somehow create designated writing workshop times in my week.
I do a 10 minute mini lesson. I don't struggle until sending them off. They need so much help I have a hard time getting to all of them! I can't wait to do more anchor charts next year!
That is definitely a struggle! Giving them a checklist of what to do can be helpful, along with aligning it so that the mini-lesson is the exact same procedure and organizer that they will complete in their writing.
Mini-lessons are great! The struggle is always AFTER the mini-lesson, when they complain "I don't know what to write" or "I don't know what we're doing." This year was a struggle with my second graders. I had to keep reminding myself this was their first normal year in the classroom.
I am switching from 4th grade Science to teaching 4th-grade Writing. This is the first year our school has designated a class period only for Writing. I will have 65 minutes dedicated to Writing, with four separate classes. I am having a little anxiety about guiding/conferencing over 100 students.
Writing is incorporated with reading and my block can be anywhere between 30-45 minutes. So, time is extremely stressful. I also have students who work very slowly.
The thing I struggle with the most is rushing through the lesson so I can get everything else accomplished in 1 hour. I would love to have 90 minutes, but the way our 7th grade is scheduled from hour to hour, that is just not feasible.
I teach special ed (Resource 5th grade and 3rd grade) I have tried mini-lessons with each group. My mini-lessons definitely run way over which is awful for attention span. And after the lesson I sometimes get the dear in the head lights look from many. With the typical, "I don't know what to write" statement.
I do mini lessons then have them do some type of activity but the students do not want to ask clarification questions until I release them...then hands go up for me to go to them and explain individually. 🤦♀️
We have 120 minutes for Reading and Writing Workshop. Scheduling both workshops each day and to get in grammar/vocabulary/spelling/writing and reading ... what can that look like?
I sometimes do mini lessons in Resource English, JH/HS. It is difficult for me to get buy in, interactions, and then application of what we are covering. Some days are definitely better than others. I love your ideas of visuals and pre-prepped engagement questions.
It is definitely a struggle for that age group. I found that the more I tailed the topic to what they were interested in, the more buy-in I got. I'm apparently not very hip, so I'd always have to ask them what was popular at that time... haha.
My biggest struggle during mini lesson time is getting everyone to engage. My class at least this year was willing to allow two or three people to control the conversation. I tried numerous ways to get everyone engaged but it didn’t always work.
I totally get that. I like to write down engagement questions before each lesson where they all give a hand signal or answer at the same time. It's still difficult to get 100% engagement. I always tell other coaches to not expect that in any classroom they observe!
Alll of the above with mini lessons. I don’t focus well so THEY don’t focus. I get off track when I am in the middle of something I see a struggle and try to hit that too. NO FOCUS on my part.
