A Cooperative Group Writing Workshop Lesson
Materials:
- chart paper
- photos of a recent study trip
- markers
Lesson Plan:
This cooperative group writing workshop activity is best when completed after a study trip or a “being there” experience(i.e. to the zoo). A lesson on developing students descriptive writing using the 5 senses.
- Group the students in sets of 4 – 5.
- Pass out photos of things the class saw or did on the study trip.
- As a whole group, brainstorm list of things that were saw or done on the trip. Teacher or student records on board.
- Assign each group a sense and instruct students to list all the words/phrases they can think of that come to mind from the study trip associated with that sense. (Example: Sight-slimy green water, fierce alligators, indian village, long snakes) Taste was not used in ours, so I assigned Sight to two groups.
- When each group is finished, have the presenter of the group share with the class. Post all sense charts from each group on the board.
- Ask the class if there is anything missing.
- As a whole group, decide on 3 – 4 topic sentences that might make a great beginning to describe the study trip.
- Assign class to write a one page narrative description of the class study trip. You may want to instruct them to use a certain number of words/phrases off the list if you feel it is necessary.
- You will be amazed at how your students writing is more vivid and detailed after this successful writing lesson.
Comments:
Hi, I am Janet Stephenson. I teach 4th grade in Merritt Island Florida. I love teaching writing and inspiring reluctant writers to bring their ideas to life on paper.
By: Janet Stephenson, 4th Grade Teacher
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