Product Update: Writer's Mini-lessons

One of my favorite assignments I give to my seniors is the writer's mini-lesson. By the time they are seniors, there is very little actual new information for them to learn regarding grammar. Most of what they are doing in their writing is improving, maturing, and simply adding sophistication. So, for our grammar and writing review, I have the students teach most of the lessons.

The best part about student-led instruction is how much better they retain what they taught. And I've been really surprised by the different ways they have come up with to practice the information or skill! Some of them have gotten really creative!

The down side of all of this, which I learned the hard way the first few years, was the organization of it all. I have one group present each Wednesday, and they all have due dates based on when they present, so it can get really difficult to keep everyone on schedule and organized. I made myself a chart for each of my hours to try and stay on top of it, but I mostly relied on the kids to be aware of deadlines and get things to me. They are seniors, after all. I tried my best to remind them, and they did get points deducted if they missed a deadline. I just let them know up front that they were in charge, and it seemed to work well enough.

I have certainly learned a lot through trial and error with this assignment, but I think I've streamlined and organized the process now (mostly). So, to reflect that, I've updated this product to include some more documents and helpful tips and tricks. Click here to check it out!

Making my Masterpiece

... OK, I'm not sure this one is my "masterpiece", but I do think it's a really fun unit!

This week's challenge for the Teachers Pay Teachers Sellers Challenge (hosted by Amber at PreppyZestyTeacherista, Ashley at Teach Create Motivate, Emily at Third in Hollywood, and Jen at Sparkling in Second) is to create a new product. I had been meaning to get my "Surprise Endings" unit ready to sell basically since I taught it. I loved teaching it, and at the end of the year, several students told me it was their favorite thing we did all year.

Basically, I recap plot, characterization, and tone/mood by using Pixar shorts, and then we read three short stories with twist endings ("The Black Cat", "Lather and Nothing Else", and "The Open Window") to practice analyzing those skills. Finally, the kids get to write their own short stories (this was the part they loved) with their choice of four surprise endings. Then, they write a paragraph analyzing their stories and explaining how they used elements of plot and characterization and how they created the tone/mood.

The best part of this challenge is that they told us to find a partner to evaluate it and give us tips on how to make it better. It was awesome because that is something I have never done before. Based on that feedback, I reorganized some things, I made some things more noticeable and clearer, and I took out some things that were in my personal plan that aren't included in the product.

I'm so excited for this one, and I'm working on putting up the individual lesson plans as well.

If you think this unit sounds like something you'd enjoy, you can find it in my store here!