I had the great epiphany this year that I could have students integrate science writing during writer's workshop. That doesn't sound so amazing, I suppose, but it really helped that I was taking an inquiry class that was focusing on using writing in science! Everyone hears about "integration" but it really doesn't seem so easy when you are dealing with all of the curriculum! It just so happened that I was beginning the teaching of pattern books during writer's workshop around that time that we were beginning our study of weather. So, without requiring it, I suggested that they write some pattern books about weather. It was a great way to show their thinking about weather. I estimate that about 70% of the class did try a weather related book at some point during the unit.A pattern book can be something like:
A is for apple. B is for ball...
This is a red ball. This is a green ball.
On a windy day, the wind blows. On a cloudy day, you cannot see the sun. On a snowy day...
When a tornado comes, find a safe place. When a tornado comes...
Now I am thinking that I could ask them to write pattern books in math, as well. Odd and even numbers, coins, pattern blocks, numbers and counting patterns, and more! I had considered having them write poetry, but they haven't been exposed to enough of it to try that until later in the year.
Content Knowledge and Interdisciplinary applications:
Mathematics, Informational Writing
Creative Understanding:
Playing with words and ideas to create new understandings.
I do think that later in the year, I will open up our poetry unit to mathematical poetry as well as the sci
A is for apple. B is for ball...
This is a red ball. This is a green ball.
On a windy day, the wind blows. On a cloudy day, you cannot see the sun. On a snowy day...
When a tornado comes, find a safe place. When a tornado comes...
Now I am thinking that I could ask them to write pattern books in math, as well. Odd and even numbers, coins, pattern blocks, numbers and counting patterns, and more! I had considered having them write poetry, but they haven't been exposed to enough of it to try that until later in the year.
Content Knowledge and Interdisciplinary applications:
Mathematics, Informational Writing
Creative Understanding:
Playing with words and ideas to create new understandings.
I do think that later in the year, I will open up our poetry unit to mathematical poetry as well as the sci