Do Not Only Describe to be Descriptive!

 

                                       (Teachers Pay Teachers, 2020) 

Have you ever wondered what you can do to improve your Descriptive Writing?

If so, you have come to the right place.

When we think about Descriptive Writing we normally think about the use of adjectives. Descriptive Writing is not only about the use of adjectives! In order for the writer to describe vividly, the writer needs to paint a picture of a person, place, thing, or event in the readers’ mind. Hence, the reader needs to see, hear, taste, feel, and even smell what the writer is trying to say. This can be done through the use of sensory details, Figurative language, Dominant impression, Precise language, and Careful Organization.

When I thought about Descriptive Writing, the only thing which came to my mind was the use of adjectives to describe the nouns. This misconception was a result of what my primary school teachers told me. As a future teacher, I plan to not only tell the students about the use of adjectives but the use of the different elements to create a descriptive piece. As a result, students will not think Descriptive Writing is only using adjectives. This will in turn make them better descriptive writers. This is a video I have come across to help you improve your Descriptive Writing. 

 

 

Reference

·         Teachers Pay Teachers. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Descriptive-Writing-Writers-Workshop-586661

The Balanced Literacy Approach

As we draw closer and closer to Teacher Practice, I can feel myself getting more and more anxious. These frequent ‘anxiety attacks’ is as a result of feeling like I don’t know how to plan a proper Language Arts lesson and execute it. 

(Slide Team, 2020)

         The session which decreased my anxiety levels was when Mrs. Marilyn Munroe-Francis came and taught us ‘The Balanced Literacy Approach.’ I usually hear my colleagues speaking about a Language block. When I asked about it I felt the once assembled papers in my brain, scatter all over the place. After being taught how to write a lesson for Language Arts in previous courses, I thought the lessons had to have introductory, developmental, and culminating activities, whether it be a part of the Language Arts components: Spelling, Grammar, Composition, Word study, etc. Hence, I would have written lessons with every component, including an introduction, developmental and culminating activities without knowing how to format the activities while still using the modes of Language Arts. Now I know what approach I should use to come up with activities. This approach is the Balanced Literacy Approach. This approach comprises of seven (7) different components (daily). These components include a Read Aloud, Shared Reading, Word Study, Independent Reading, Guided Reading, Shared Writing, and Independent Writing. All of these components are a part of the introductory, developmental, and culminating activities.

As a result of learning the components of the Balanced Literacy Approach, this anxiety is slowly changing into excitement.  Though I don’t feel comfortable creating a lesson plan much less teach one, I plan to do certain things to assist myself. In order to feel more equipped, I will research more on the ‘Balanced Literacy Approach’, seek help from my colleagues, and write more lesson plans using the approach. While beginning my search, I came across a video on YouTube. This video can be used to further aid your understanding of the ‘Balanced Literacy Approach.’

 (Youtube, 2020)

 

 

References

·         Slide Team. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.slideteam.net/3d-man-confused-with-question-marks-ppt-graphics-icons-powerpoint.html

·         Youtube. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibAYZRv2oLM

Persuade the Audience

 

Did you ever have an idea and wanted individuals to side with you? This idea is known as persuasion.

(Australian Curriculum Lessons, 2020)

Persuasion is the art of gaining favorable consideration for your point of view. When doing this you should lure the audience so that they can reconsider their own ideas. Me and my siblings usually argue about whose turn it is to do certain chores. When learning how to write persuasive essays my points will be stronger and I will in turn win arguments. This will not only pertain to my personal life but my academic life as well. This is a link to one (1) of my colleagues’ blogs. https://gawjussjael.blogspot.com/ At the end of the blog is an image entitled ‘Writing to … Argue or Persuade.’ This image has various Persuasive Techniques which can be used to persuade the reader.

When writing a persuasive essay, you should ask yourself:

-          Is the topic sentence stated clearly?

-          Is it linked to my thesis statement?

-          Are my details convincing?

-          Do the ideas flow smoothly?

-          Does my final sentence: restate the topic sentence/ link to the next paragraph?

 

Writing persuasive pieces is a crucial aspect of a child’s academic career. As a future teacher I will ensure that I give my students sufficient time to plan when writing persuasive essays. I will also give the students a checklist so that they can stay on task while writing a persuasive essay. While teaching persuasive writing I will use the OREO Strategy. When students use this strategy they will be more willing to write.

(Scholastic, 2020)

This is an example of the OREO template.

 

 

References

Australian Curriculum Lessons. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculumlessons.com.au/2012/09/05/persuasive-writing-techniques/

Scholastic. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/genia-connell/graphic-organizers-opinion-writing/