Three Word Phrases

A prewriting strategy that I learned from reading Notebook Know How by Amiee Buckner that I like to use my my students is Three Word Phrases. For this strategy, students are to come up with three word phrases on a particular subject. I like this strategy because it forces students to summarize their ideas into just three powerful words, and it allows those students who struggle with writing to reach success because they only have to come up with three words. After a brainstorm session is had and a list of three word phrases is compiled, I have the student choose 2-3 of their favorites. They will then quickly conference with a writing partner and get some feedback on what someone else may want to here about. Ultimately, the student is in charge of their writing and can choose anything, but having feedback helps some writers who struggle with their choice on what to write about. After one Three Word Phrase is selected, I let the students journal about that idea alone, hoping they can develop it and come up with some sort of entry they can be proud of. With all that said, here are some three word phrases my students came up with on the topic of WINTER.

WINTER

*like to shovel *piles of snow *winter is coming *don't like ice *cross country skiing *time for holidays *Snow day please*build a snowman *dress really warm *travel slows down *miss the leaves *inside recess day *time to sled *tracks in snow *need a vacation *cold, cold, cold *gets dark early *presents are coming *Arizona sounds nice *almost my birthday *love the snow *how many inches *no more football *Spring come quick!

BEGINNING, MIDDLE, END

As a reading teacher, I get to work with students from a range of grade levels. I've worked with kinders to fifth graders and have enjoyed each and every group. For this blog post, I would like to show you an example of what I did with a group of first graders who were working on comprehension. After using a little prewriting brainstorm on a white board to help organize our thoughts, this is what we came up with. Enjoy!

Recently we read the book Always in Trouble by Corinne Demas. To better understand the story, our reading group went over some of the things that happened at the BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END of the book. Here are some of our ideas.

At the BEGINNING of the story, Toby (the dog) always found ways to get into trouble. One way he got into trouble was by getting into the garbage. Another way Toby got into trouble was by running into the street. He also wet the floor, chewed buttons off Emma's new coat, ate a loaf of bread Emma's father made, and he jumped into the clean laundry which had been nicely folded.

In the MIDDLE of the story, Toby went to dog school because Emma's mother said, "Something has to be done about that dog!" After Toby went to dog school (where he was the best in the class) he was good for a little while, but not for long. Soon he was finding trouble again. This time, he ate Emma's dad's freshly baked cookies, dug up petunias Emma's mom had just planted, and barked in the middle of the night making it hard for the neighbors to sleep. He also ran across the road again, wet the floor again, and even chewed up his dog school diploma. Emma had to take Toby back to the dog school and leave him there for a whole week.

Finally, at the END of the story, Toby took out the garbage, baked some bread, cleaned the kitchen floor, vacuumed the rug, planted some new petunias, and he even folded the laundry. On Sunday he snoozed. BUT, no dog can always be perfect, especially Toby!

Written by Colin, Jake, Mitchell, and Mr. Feustel