Name: Michelle Berkshire

Name: Michelle Berkshire

Grade Level/Subject: First Grade Writing (Part of Writer’s Workshop)

Topic: Stop Dots! (periods, question marks, and exclamation marks)

Objectives:

Concept 4: Editing:

Editing includes proofreading and correcting the draft for conventions.

PO 1. Review the draft for errors in conventions, with prompting.

Concept 6: Conventions:

“Conventions” addresses the mechanics of writing, including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar and usage, and paragraph breaks.

PO 3. Punctuate endings of sentences using:

a.  periods

b.  question marks

c.  exclamation points

Teacher Materials:

·  Pencil Anchor Chart for Writer’s Workshop (w/everything covered for now)

·  My rough draft on large chart paper with mistakes

·  White Out Tape

·  Markers

Students’ Materials:

·  Stop Dot Sticks (with period, exclamation point, and question mark) inside an envelope for the students to open at the appropriate time.

·  Everyday Notebook with a brainstorm idea and a rough draft from that brainstorm idea.

·  Pencil and eraser

·  Green Folder with Yellow Conference Sheet

Instructions:

(As the students come to the carpet, hand each child an envelope with the instructions to sit on it until they need to open it.)

1.  Prior Knowledge

Say, "In our reading, we have seen different punctuation used. Today we are going to learn how to use it as writers."

2.  Introduction

Say, "Writers use PUNCTUATION MARKS so that their stories are easier to read."

Say, "There are three punctuation marks that we will learn about today."

Point to the pencil anchor chart, taking off the paper over the “stop dots”.

Say, "Punctuation marks are a lot like signs you see on the roads."

Say, “There is a stop sign with these punctuation marks so that we can remember that they tell us to stop when we are reading. They tell us to breathe. We can also call them “Stop Dots”.”

Say, “Together let’s say the names of them: Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Point.”

By this time of the year, the class will have already been exposed to the terms period, exclamation point, & question mark in their reading.

Ask the Students, “When do we use these?” (At the end of a telling sentence, after a question, when you show emotion)

Say, “In every sentence, you need a subject and that subject needs to be doing something.” Give some examples (“The cat is running really fast” play with different places to put the period). Ask the kids for examples. Write some on the board.

3.  Instructional Process

Say, "I have written my rough draft using my four square brainstorm. All of you have done the same. I need your help to put the stop dots in the right places on my rough draft. Open the envelopes that you are sitting on.”

Students open envelopes. Star of the Week walks around with a trashcan for envelopes.

Ask, “ What do you have on your stop dot sticks?” Wait for responses.

Say, “ As I read my rough draft, hold up your stop dot stick to show me when I need punctuation and show me the right one to use.”

Read through the rough draft. Notice when the kids hold up their sticks and discuss.

Discuss how it would sound if I had all periods or exclamation points. Interesting writers vary their use of these.

4.  Independent Practice

Say, “Now it is your turn. You are going back to your desk. Read your rough draft. Do you need to add stop dots? Do you need to take some out? Do you need to add exclamation points or take some out? If you are asking a question, do you have a question mark?”

Say, “After you have read through your writing, and you have edited it, share it with your writing buddy. As you read to your buddy, your buddy will hold up the stop dot stick when there should be a breath taken. Discuss it. Then have the your buddy read their work. The one with the least brothers and sisters goes first. If you have the same amount, the youngest in the family goes first.”

Say, “ Have your green folders under your everyday notebook so I can write in it if we conference.”

Release to Writer’s Workshop.

Circulate around the classroom.

5.  Assessment

I will Conference with at least 4 people.

After an appropriate amount of time, I will clap my hands together to get everyone’s attention.

Ask, “Does anyone want to share a sentence as well as what stop dot you choose?”

Take a couple of volunteers.

Say, ”If you were not able to complete everything, you will have time after centers today.”

6.  Closure

Ask, "What are the punctuation marks [or stop dots] that we learned to use today?"

·  periods, exclamation points, and question marks

Say, "Great, I'm glad you remembered those names."

Ask, “How do you use them?”

·  At the end of a telling sentence

·  After a question

·  When you show emotion

Come to the conclusion that there are three ways to end a sentence: periods, exclamation points, and question marks.

Say, “ Put the stop dot sticks in your pencil box to use whenever you are writing.”

Modifications/Enrichment:

Writing lends itself to modifications and enrichment because it is different for everyone.

·  Students who want to write a lot can.

·  Students who can write a lot, but don’t will be encouraged to do so with redirection from the teacher (i.e., “What else can you tell us about that?”).

·  Those who struggle with writing will be encouraged to do the best they can, but are not expected to write beyond their comfort level.

Reflection: