In our writing class, students will become familiar with and utilize a
WRITER'S NOTEBOOK, a DRAFT BOOK, and a NIGHT WRITES SPIRAL.
IDEA-
I've picked a subject small enough to handle.
You can tell I know a LOT about this subject by the way I support my idea.
My writing is bursting with interesting tidbits and details.
ORGANIZATION-
I have created a 'brilliant beginning' that is exciting!
I made a 'mighty middle' that is powerful!
I wrote an 'extraordinary ending' that is remembered!
You can follow it easily.
Everything ties together.
There are great details to support my main ideas.
VOICE-
I've added parts that enhance my writing and help my reader connect with me.
I show I am really committed by making my writing personal.
You can tell I wrote it even without my name being attached to the piece.
I've written this in a creative and unique way.
Feelings and thoughts are present in my composition.
WORD CHOICE-
My descriptive words really paint a picture in your mind. (Show, not tell!)
I hunted for striking, yet natural, words that fit the piece precisely.
Active verbs, rather than passive verbs, fill my writing whenever possible.
I chose specific words rather than the first thing that popped into my mind.
SENTENCE FLUENCY-
My sentences flow together nicely when my story is read.
I intentionally choose to begin my sentences with differing phrases.
Varying transitional words can be seen in my piece.
CONVENTIONS-
Paragraphing is present.
I have used capitalization and punctuation well.
My reader will not get distracted by my lack of attention to details.
Every word in my final copy is correctly spelled.
PRESENTATION-
I look up at my audience and do not look solely at my paper.
My paper is held low so my face is visible.
Standing tall, I speak clearly and loudly to be understood and heard.
Vocal expression keeps my audience's interest and attention.
My face is involved as I share with my listeners.
GREAT LEADS(and/or CONCLUSIONS): Ba-da-bings!
"As I (walked)_________,I (saw) __________,and I (thought) __________"
Remember, use better words than walked, saw, and thought when at all
possible...
EXTENDED ENDINGS: a great way to summarize a story
Include:
* a memory (of the event),
* a feeling (the character's feelings),
* hopes/wishes (of the character),
* and a decision (for future actions,etc.) or a defining action (the
character will take).
Examples:
I'll never forget the way my mom looks at me when she says she loves me.
She always makes me feel so special. I hope I make her feel special, too.
I'm going to tell her I love her every day just to make sure she knows I
love her, too.
I'll never forget seeing that ball spiraling through the air as I caught the
winning touchdown! I felt ten feet tall the day football captured my heart.
I hope every kid catches that winning spirit in their life. You can be sure
to see me one day in the NFL!
OTHER GREAT IDEAS:
** Begin sentences with vivid verbs.
** Avoid "is", "are", "was", and "were" as much as possible.
** Use at least 5 'sparkle' words in each composition.
** Use figurative language at least once(similies, metaphors, and idioms).
** Show (not tell)how your characters feel.
** Avoid using words from our 'coffin'(dead words)more than once.
Revision checklist items:
*Underline the first word in each sentence. Make sure you don't overuse any
of those words. If you used it 3 times, that's too many!! Replace any that
need to be changed. Make sure those words are all capitalized.
* Start at least 2 sentences with vivid verbs!
* Use at least 5 "sparkle" words.
* Find 2 figurative language sentences. (using similes, metaphors, and
idioms, etc.)
* Find a "show, not tell" snapshot. If it's not there, ADD one!
* Find 2 thought shots. Make sure they are thoughts that the character was
thinking at THAT VERY MOMENT in time!
*Check for transitions from paragraph to paragraph...make sure you don't
overuse any of them, but that your paragraphs flow nicely together.
*Add four adjectives in front of 4 nouns.
*Stretch 2 sentences. (This means make sure that sentence answers questions
the reader could ask...like when, how, why, and where)
* Check for CUPS...Conventions, Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling
*Circle words you think are misspelled. Try to correct them to the best of
your ability. (If tools are available and allowed, USE THEM!!)
* READ paper aloud TWICE!! (on TAKS, you can't do this one, but you should
read it VERY CAREFULLY focusing on any mistakes you think your teacher would
find.)
PRACTICE YOUR "CRUISE WRITE ALONG" TUNES:
I Will Revise
(TuneI Will Survive)
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
It's so hard to fill a paper with just two sides.
So I spent so many days just a tryin' to figure out,
I finally did -- what fourth grade writing's all about
And we practiced all that we knew--
Ideas, details, support, leads, and conclusions, too
We are great writers. We've known that all along,
and we grew strong. Now we're at Cruise Write Along.
Oh there I go, I wrote a four.
You won't believe it. It's much better than before.
Can you believe how much it changed since I revised?
It has more sparkle. Now you know why I revise.
And I know I, I will revise
I go back and check my paper with a careful eye
I've got many words to use,
Metaphors, similes to choose,
I will revise, I will revise, hey, hey
When I read that lead again, I had to change that part.
Description, dialogue, and questions--man that choice was hard.
Or would that short sentence now catch my reader's eye....
In the end, which conclusion would they buy?
And we practice writing great plans--
well thought out details, so the reader under stands.
If we check the prompt and plan we know we won't go wrong,
We are the cruisers, the cruisers of Cruise Write Along.
Oh there I go, I wrote a four.
You won't believe it. It's much better than before.
Can you believe how much it changed since I revised?
It has more sparkle. Now you know why I revise.
And I know I, I will revise
I go back and check my paper with a careful eye
I've got many words to use,
metaphors, similes to choose,
I will revise, I will revise, hey, hey
Oh there I go, I wrote a four.
You won't believe it. It's much better than before.
Can you believe how much it changed since I revised?
It has more sparkle. Now you know why I revise.
And I know I, I will revise
I must go back and check my paper with a careful eye
I've got many words to use,
metaphors, similes to choose,
I will revise, I will revise, hey, hey
EDIT ("Beat It")
by Tom Russian
Say develop ideas and organize here
Don't wanna see mistakes, they better disappear
I read it with my eyes, and the words are really clear!
So Edit, Just Edit
You better look, you better see what you can
Don't wanna see no wrong, don't be an error man
Need to write enough, better do what you can
So Edit, you don't wanna be sad
(Chorus)
Just Edit, Edit, Edit, Edit
Which word needs to be deleted?
Showin' how funky, strong is your writer
It doesn't matter with your first write
Just Edit, Edit Just Edit, Edit
Just Edit, Edit Just Edit, Edit
TAKS out to get you, better write what you can
Don't wanna get a one, let's be a writing fan
You wanna get a four, better do what you can
So Edit, just Edit
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're writing for your life, I know you really care
They'll rate you, then they score you
Then they tell you it's fair
So Edit, You don't wanna be sad
Write, Write, Baby!
(To the tune of "Ice, Ice, Baby)
Alright, STOP, elaborate and listen
4th grade is back with a brand new convention.
Someone, grip a pencil tightly,
Writing compositions daily and nightly.
Will it ever stop? YO! I hope no!
Turn off the lights and well glow.
To the extreme we rock a prompt like a vandal,
Light up a page, illuminate like a candle.
DANCE! I like the words that move,
Theyre fun to read and make writing smooth.
DEADLY! When we use those similes
Sharp as a tack makes me happy!
Love it or hate it you write anyway!
The prompts not our choice, but write well, okay?
If it is a problem, YO! well solve it!
Check out our skills as our writers compose it!
WRITE, WRITE, BABY
Ive Been Working on this Paper
(to the Tune of "I've been working on the Railroad)
Ive Been working on this paper all the livelong day
Ive been looking for the best way to show instead of say!
Do not think that I will give up til I make my readers cry (Boo Hoo!)
I ll keep working on this paper until the day is done.
(Yankee Doodle)
Cruise Write Along is so much fun
Working round the pool side
Gettin ideas and organizin for my finest paper
Write Along is so much fun
Writing in the pool
Choosing words and sentences
To make us all look cool!
(Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
Twinkle twinkle magic words
How I hope my reader heard
The ideas I tried to share
On my paper with such flair
Twinkle twinkle magic words,
How I hope my reader heard
Camp Write-Along
To the tune of YMCA
4th Grade, theres no need to feel low.
We said, 4th grade, grab your pencils, lets go!
We said, 4th grade, cause youve got the ideas
Theres no need to be unhappy.
4th grade, youve got to start with a plan
We said, 4th grade, then you outline it, man.
Check it again, and Im sure you will find
Many ways to make it better.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
They have all the tools for you to get your best score,
You can all write a perfect 4
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
You can write it pretend, you can write it for real,
You can write whatever you feel
4th grade, are you listening to this?
We said, 4th grade, this part you dont want to miss.
We said, 4th grade, time to write up your draft.
But you got to know this one fact
No one does it right the first time.
We said, 4th grade, thats why we skip lines,
And just go there, to Cruise Write-Along
We can help you after this song!
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
They have all the tools for you to get your best score,
You can all write a perfect 4
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
You can write it pretend, you can write it for real,
You can write whatever you feel
4th grade, we were once in your place.
We said, we are too tired to erase.
We felt no man cared if we revised,
We felt the story was alright.
Thats when, someone came up to us,
And said, hey you, revise now you must.
Theres a place where you write everyday.
They can start you back on your way.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
Its fun to write at our Cruise Write-Along.
They have all the tools for you to get your best score,
You can all write a perfect 4
Cruise Write-Alongyoull find it at the Cruise Write-Along.
4th Grade, theres no need to feel low.
We said, 4th grade, grab your pencils, lets go!
Cruise Write-Alongyoull find it at Cruise Write-Along.
4th Grade, theres no need to feel low.
We said, 4th grade, grab your pencils, lets go!
Cruise Write-Along.find it at Cruise Write-Along.
4th grade, 4th grade, are you listening to us?
4th grade, 4th grade, do your best now you must!