Reading Writing Day 2
Closure
When the circles are ready, or 10-15 minutes before the end of class even if some are experiencing difficulty, call the whole group together again as you did for the minilesson. Ask each circle to report (they chose a spokesperson) on their name and topic. Establish the norms for responding to each sharing: applause, or snapping fingers, or whatever norms feel right to you and your students. Before students leave, they should have completed the reflection questions listed on your chart. Make sure they’ve dated the page and titled it “Reflection.”
What if?
What if students don’t seem to be able to settle on a name or a topic? As mentioned above, they can choose a temporary name that indicates that it’s temporary, such as “Under Construction.” They do need to decide on a topic, however, and it needs to be the students’ topic, not yours. If you over-prepare by putting a few topics in your back pocket, you will ensure that students rely on you for topics throughout the summer. What you can do is ask questions, for example: Who was the last person you spoke to before you left home this morning? Who was the first person you saw when you arrived at school? Did you notice anything on your way to school? What did you hear other kids talking about when you got to school? Did you hear anything on the radio this morning, or see anything on TV last night that caught your attention? Does any of that start an idea for a writing topic?
Chart for Reflection Questions
ent: Assessm va r o b se r Teache t checklis
• • • •
tion
Date Writing circle name Choice of topic Roles: spokesperson for today, first writer and time keeper for next circle
Reflection on today’s writing circle What went well? What was difficult? Did you hear anything interesting from another circle?
Chicago Public Schools - Summer Bridge 2011
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