Linking Words in Writing - FREEBIE

Just a quick post about using linking words in writing.

We've worked on introductions, reasons and closings.

We added some linking words to our writing journals,

but my kids weren't using the words.

So, I created this sentence matching activity for them.

I put the kids into groups of three.

Each group was given six sentences.

Three of the sentences were reasons

and the other three were sentences with linking words.

All six sentences were about the same topic,

 so my kids had to make sure the linking word sentence

matched the reason.

It's a short activity that can be completed

independently or with partners.

You can grab the cards for free by clicking here!

Have a great weekend!

Writing Freebie and Best Pencil Sharpener Ever!

Are you ready for another week?

We only had 3 days last week because of the cold temps.

This week the kids are in class Monday - Thursday

and Friday is a Teacher Work Day.

Not too bad of a schedule.

I was organizing my computer files this weekend

and came across this sheet.

Here is the link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4_vASnpCuzob3VXMkhqaUtUTzg/edit?usp=sharing
(I tried to add the link to the picture,
but Blogger isn't letting me. 
Anyone else having this problem?)


I used it to have the kids think about how they begin their writing.


Individually, the kids ranked the openings.
Then they got together with a partner and had to agree on an order.
Each partner group joined another group and had to agree on an order.
Finally, we came together as a class to discuss the outcomes.


The next day, I saw some more exciting openings being written!


What are some ways you get kids to write more exciting openings?






The second big news...
I got a new pencil sharpener!
It's from
www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com
Do you want to see how well it works?
Here is the unsharpened pencil.

I placed it in the pencil sharpener.
I turned the handle a few times.

This is what happened!
I highly recommend having one of these in your classroom.
I'm even thinking of getting a second one.



Have a great week!