Contents

< Back Next >

Lesson Plan - Think Aloud

Using Story Starters to Write in Journals

Materials:

Wonderful Winter Writing Journals, Chart Paper on easel, Markers, pencils and crayons

Objectives:

After the mini-lesson, TLW write in the first page of their Wonderful Winter Writing journals, completing the story starter with an idea of their own that makes sense and complete the page with a picture to match their sentence. TLW use their knowledge of Jolly Phonics and resources around the room, such as the word wall and describing word list to write in their journals.

Activity:

• Have the class sit on their carpet spots in front of the easel.
• Show the class the Wonderful Winter Writing journals that have been put together for them.
• Explain that they are going to make their own books keep and to share with family and friends.
• Show them the cover and read through each topic on each page, explaining how the cover correlates to the topics in the book.
• Turn to the first page: A warm coat is…
• Think aloud, “I’m going to write in my journal first. A warm coat is…hmmm, how could I finish this sentence in a way that would make sense?” Take suggestions from the class and list them on the chart paper. Add to the list. (fuzzy, warmer than ____, warm as ________, comfortable, nice in the cold, cozy). Talk about how some words would not make sense.
• Think aloud, “I like the words fuzzy and cozy. I think I will go ahead and write ‘A warm coat is fuzzy and cozy.’
• At this point, model and think aloud how to figure out how to spell words as you write using Jolly Phonics and the word wall. (It isn’t important at this point if the words are actually spelled correctly. The emphasis is on them being able to use what they already know about language and phonics to get an idea on paper and to practice blending sounds together).
• Write out the sentence, thinking aloud how the first letter of a sentence is always capitalized and how sentences end in punctuation, in this case a period.
• Model how to draw a picture to go with the sentence. Think aloud the following question, “Do you prefer to read books that are colorful or books that are not?” Emphasize how they should be creative with their pictures as well.
• The students will then go back to their table spots and begin writing on the first page of their journals.
• Walk around and assist as needed. If a student is struggling with spelling a word, sound the word out with them and do Jolly Phonics together or if it is a word posted somewhere in the room ask them where they might be able to find the answer. Praise all of their efforts.
• If time, have the students share their page with a friend or two. At a later date, they can share with the whole class.

< Back Next >