January 22 - 26

 I can create narratives that develop setting, plot, and character; I can use suspense, figurative language, and dialogue in story writing; I can enhance personal style and voice through careful selection of words; I can edit writing for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.  Grade 6 ELAL

We are authors in grade 6! We began story writing by choosing one of two picture prompts to inspire ideas. Students had time to chat with one another to share story ideas before doing their own story planning. 

We used a "planning diamond" to get down all our ideas and to make sure we included all the parts of a good story. 

When we read and listen to stories in grade six (short stories, novels, oral storytelling, drama), we spend time looking at all the elements the author/story teller includes that help make it interesting. As we practice our own story writing, we reminded students about this and have encouraged them to keep it in mind when writing their own story. 

We have also been learning about 8 different figures of speech. We are encouraging students to try to include one of these somewhere in their story. 

We have printed the first draft of the stories and we are ready for peer editing this week. When students edit their classmates' work, they have the opportunity to see from another perspective: vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, ideas, and organization! Not only can they support their peers by picking up on any mistakes, but it helps them in their own writing as well.