Essay Writing

11/6  Our next cycle of writing have been essays.  The difference between personal narratives and essays is that an essay is all about an idea.  So, we started our new lists about things we notice around us.  The next strategy involved describing what we notice. Then we asked questions about what we noticed.  We then shifted to writing ideas about an important person and also issues we had.  We pushed our "big idea" by using this line..."And that makes me think..." and then, "What I mean by that is..."  We then, like an essay format, gave 3 examples of our idea and a conclusion.  I am so amazed and proud of some of the deep thinking and profound statements these kids are making!   I hope to share some of their work soon!  We are looking to publish these again sometime next week hopefully. 

Stategies for  Essays:

1. What I Notice List.

2. Describe something you notice.

3. In a "T" chart, write what you Know/Notice  and Ask Questions.

4. Write 3 ideas about a person. Choose one to write about.

5.  Think of an issue you have.  Issues can be:

* a problem you have

* something you think is unfair/fair

* something you believe strongly in.

* something you are worried about

* something that brings a strong emotion from you

6. Push your thinking by using, "And this makes me think" and "What I mean by that is..."

Remember to describe, notice, tell what you know, and ask questions in your essay!

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