Mentor Monday Linky

I'm joining my blogging buddy, Emily @ The Reading Tutor OG, for her first ever Mentor Monday Linky.  This week the topic is using mentor texts for personal narrative writing, specifically for developing ideas from small, memorable moments.

We use the writer's workshop model by Lucy Caulkins in our school.  I simply love her writing lessons!  One of my favorite books to use for teaching students how to narrow their focus is The Snowy Day  by Ezra Jack Keats.  

The Snowy Day is perfect for introducing "Small Moment" writing because most students (especially where I live) can identify with having a snow day (we've had a lot of them lately).  

After reading the story, we discuss the big idea, smaller topic, and seed moment and record them on a chart.  Students quickly see how we keep narrowing the topic to zero in on the small, memorable moment.  (I use this chart idea from Kelley @ Buggy for Learning).

Buggy for Learning

Then we brainstorm all the things we do on a snow day that would be considered small moments. 

• make snow angels
• catch snowflakes on our tongues
• go sledding
• make a snowman
• build an igloo
• have a snowball fight

Finally, we think of our own small moment ideas for writing and post them on our chart.  We read them one by one and decide if they are "watermelons", "slices", or "seeds".  Don't you just love this chart?  It's from Colleen @ Totally Terrific in Texas.

Totally Terrific in Texas

I found these posters and the corresponding graphic organizer for small moment writing at Fit to Be Fourth on TPT.  You may want to grab a copy for yourself.  It's the perfect complement to this lesson. :)

Fit to Be Fourth {Freebie}

Do you have a favorite book that you like to use to introduce Small Moment Writing?  I'd love for you to share it.  Hop on over to visit Emily @ The Reading Tutor OG and link up your ideas.  

Anchor Charts and Beanies

It's time to share what we've been learning...Comprehension Strategies with Beanie Babies!

My posters were purchased from Froggie Went a Teachin' on TPT.

At the beginning of the year I introduce each of the comprehension strategies and the corresponding Beanie Baby animals.  We create anchor charts for each strategy and practice using the skills.  The children make a mini book of strategies that they will keep with them throughout the year. 
Students are so excited to see which Beanie Baby animal and strategy will be introduced next.  They practically beg me to tell them. :)  And sadly, *tears* they are even disappointed once the last strategy/animal has been revealed.
The program that we use for reading intervention spirals back to each of the skills multiple times throughout the year.  We refer to the anchor charts, Beanie Babies, and mini-books often.  Here's a little look at a few of the anchor charts we made this year.

We use the "Click, Click, Clunk" method for self-monitoring.

                               

Students used the clues from the photographs and their schema to make an inference about what is happening in the photo.  This was a great way to introduce the concept and grasp before applying it to text.

I read a excerpt from Charlotte's Web describing the barn, and students drew what they were visualizing.

                             

I'll be back soon to share more about each strategy.  I'd love to hear some of your great ideas for introducing and teaching the reading strategies.  Leave a comment!