I decorated the blog for Christmas! It was way easier than decorating my house, I'll tell you that much. Wanna hear a secret? I still haven't even really put away everything from Thanksgiving! I just decorated the classroom before I left on Friday, so at least my kids will be a little surprised on Monday morning. Tomorrow I have GOT to bust a move on this house!
So, I've been trying to think of a way to bump up the kids' productivity at the writing center. Their time at the center is certainly not their only exposure to the writing process, but it's a great way to give them a bit more choice and fun in their practice. I've been using my writing center task cards for years and while I love them, I wasn't always in love with what the kids were producing. I included many different styles of writing, like list making, letter writing, venn diagrams, illustrating ideas, acrostic poems, and recipes just to name a few. For those types of activities, the kids were a bit inept at setting up the page and spent more time doing that than I'd like.
Now,the cool thing is that you can print out whatever or how many pages you want for the month and make a little rubber band book they they can use for the whole month! I really like this idea so when I send it home at the end of the month, the parents can get a good glimpse of their child's writing. Here's how to make a rubber band book.
If double sided printing and rubber banding isn't your thing...
I also added a little self evaluation at the end of the journal that they can complete after they look over their writing for the month. They can set a goal for the next month and get some feedback from me. And of course, we have to have a cute cover.
I've only completed December so far. I'm working on January now and really want to get the rest of the months updated over winter break. If you already own the set of task cards, make sure you download the revision so you can grab the journals. If you don't already own them, you can find them here.
I have sets for every month listed separately, as well as in bundles.
Just a little head's up, as I add the journal companion to each pack, the price will bump up just a bit. If you've already purchased them, of course you'll get the revision at no additional cost. If you buy the others now, you can also get in on the reduced price too!
Love it! I, too, was a bit worried about how to set up a paper for the different tasks cards I have. After reading your post, I bought both bundled sets. Looking forward to using it after our penmanship time. I like the idea of a booklet they can do it in and be able to take home! A#####%
ReplyDeleteHi Shelia! I'm so glad you like the idea. I really think it's going to help a lot. I'm almost done with the January set. I think I have your email address, I'll send them to you since you bought the bundle they won't be updated until I finish them all, but I'll send them to you as I finish them so you don't have to wait :)
DeleteLooks like a great idea to guide to help the kiddos with their writing. It's on my wish list. ;P
ReplyDeleteKelly
I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
I'm looking at purchasing the bundles! But I noticed above you said you won't update the bundles until you've finished the journals for all the months. Would I be able to get those as you finish them?
ReplyDeleteYes, Kristen - absolutely!
DeleteI'm already done with December and January. I hope to finish the rest over winter break. If you do purchase the bundles, I can send you the journals for Dec. and Jan. right away :)
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DeleteI purchased the bundle and would love to start copying the journals for January if you could send them my way! Thanks!
DeleteHi Kristen!
DeleteEmail me at ShopSunnyDays@me.com so I have your email address and I'll send them right along! :)