Watermelon vs. Seed Moments
At the beginning of the week, we started with the hands-on. So often in writing we forget to start with the concrete and move to the representational. It’s best practice in math (and we totally do that) but for writing we somehow always jump to the pencil.
So, we cut into the watermelon to make it more manageable. (Then, #teacherfail – I BOUGHT A SEEDLESS WATERMELON. <insert every face palm emoji here> Thankfully there were still white seed, so our metaphor continued. Students decided that the cut watermelon was definitely more manageable to eat and talk about.
We then made the connection that the HUGE watermelon was just like our “List Stories”. I went to the park, then I played on the slide. Then I went on the swim. Finally it was dark. I went home. We talked that knowing what happened is very different than knowing all the details.
Relating it to Ourselves
We went back to our writing journals and brought them back to the carpet. Students shared “Watermelon Stories” in their journals that they may need to revisit. (Note – this totally wasn’t a shaming lesson and totally voluntary. I love pulling examples from our own writing because it makes it much more real. (Snag this organizer for your classroom here.)
As students shared one of their watermelon stories, I asked – “So ___________, instead of writing about the WHOLE __________, what part can you go back and describe?” When students picked specific parts (hitting the piñata, riding the roller coaster), we called these ‘Seed Moments’.
Finally, it was writing time! As students worked, I delivered plates of watermelon as a motivator and reminder to think small. Then, I started conferencing with my habitual list-story writers. 😉
Using Mentor Texts
Putting it Into Action
Fireflies
Shared Writing
This day, we actually spent our writing time together. Shared Writing is a perfect way to high features of many different mentor texts focusing on the strengths of lots of different students. We decided to zoom into building a sandcastle. Although not perfect, we have a great start to a narrative. Plus, we include some of those great features from Roller Coaster (VERY, wee, A-L-L) and Fireflies (small details about the day).
Since writing it at the end of the day, and we ran out of the time – the next morning during ‘Morning Work’ students came in and started working on their narratives. It’s a perfect way to sneak a few more moments for writing!
This friend is sharing about his recent trip to the zoo, seeing tigers. My favorite line – “One did not look fun. He was lame.” Hahahaha – classic and perfect 1st grade writing. (Note – he does go on to explain the lame tiger behavior.)
- Opinion Writing (blog post, resources, bundle)
- Narrative Writing (blog post, resources, mentor texts, bundle)
- Inform/Explain Writing (blog post, resources, bundle)
- How-To Writing (blog post, resources, bundle)
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Such wonderful lessons! I am wondering what type of writing journals you use. I really like the wider lines and the area to put a picture at the top of the page. Thank you for sharing more inspirational ideas!
Hi Mandy! I actually picked up some Primary Writing journals from Dollar Tree (just for my struggle . I haven't seen them since. I know you can order them on Amazon and Lakeshore, too…but they are really expensive. I actually prefer real composition notebooks but know that my struggling writers need the extra support!
Order from Dollar Tree online:)
Unforuntaley, this is one product they aren't selling online. So, you have to luck out that your store is selling them!
Such wonderful lessons! I am wondering what type of writing journals you use. I really like the wider lines and the area to put a picture at the top of the page. Thank you for sharing more inspirational ideas!
I LOVE the anchor chart!!!
I absolutely love your posts about Writing Workshop! I am definitely going to try this lesson, watermelon, binoculars, and all with my kinders later in the year! Thanks so much for sharing, Catherine!
Another amazing post about Writing Workshop! Thank you so much for sharing. We are working on small moments this week. Thank you!
What a fantastic post! I love that you point out how many times in writing we just quickly jump to the pencil and don't take time to "build up." These are fantastic mini lessons. Thank you so much for sharing!
Kelly
Lattes and Lunchrooms
A really useful post. Thank you.
I would be interested to know which mentor texts you use for other skills – both reading and writing.
It did this "seed moments" lesson with my kiddos this week. My husband and I had a long discussion about whether or not you can still buy watermelons with seeds!!?? I should have just gone for it like you did…I'm sure your kids will remember it for a long time :0) Great post! I'm trying hard to incorporate more writing. Keep the ideas coming!!
Night of the veggie monster is a great mentor text!
Thank you so much! This helps me explain what a small moment is to my son in 2nd grade with out having to email his teacher!
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