Camp Write Along-Day 3

Camp Write Along Day 3 was focused around Revising.  We began camp with a short video from our camp director, and then we sang our camp songs. We re-sang the "Writing Hokey"and "Write Write Baby", and then we learned a new song "The Twelve Days of Writing Camp."

Our first lesson was focused on analyzing persuasive letters and identifying the persuasive techniques used throughout the letter.  The mentor text that was used was Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague and the lesson was adapted from the WritingFix. Students were first introduced to the techniques using the anchor chart which they copied in their notebooks. Then I modeled for students how to analyze one of the letters from the text and identify the different techniques such as word choice, punctuation, capitalization, and persuasive words the author uses. Next, students worked in groups of 4 to analyze another letter taken from the text and to discuss and identify the different techniques used. They were given about 5 minutes to identify the techniques and then one person from each group came to the board to present the techniques they found. Lastly, students were given one last paragraph to analyze independently which was their exit ticket.

Their second lesson was on revising, which was facilitated by Mr. Martinez. He used a writing sample from a 5th grade student. He began his lesson by asking students to turn and talk to discuss what does it mean to make your writing better? They he modeled for students how to revise a paragraph using a RER strategy (R=reread, E=Evaluate, R=revise). Next, students worked in their groups to revise a paragraph of their own, and they came to the board to present their findings. Lastly, students were given one last paragraph in which he asked them to write a Hook. Here is the worksheet he used with students. 

Our Social Studies lesson today on economics focused on supply and demand. After a quick vocabulary review I presented my supplies/goods to students, and told them they were going to be available for purchase. Here are some of the supplies that were in low demand of the students.

Here are the two items that were in high demand of the students.

After all items were presented, each student received a bag of mini m&ms. The m&ms represented the students money. Each m&m was worth $1. Students sorted their m&ms by color. Then the bidding began. For example, I began with the red and asked how much money/red m&ms would you give me for the hot fries. Students would set their price and then someone would outbid them. Soon throughout the lesson they began to see how the Law of Supply and Demand works.

Here are a few more pictures from our day:

Well it was another great day at Camp Write Along! 

Lights out Campers!