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    Student Writing Model

    Ant Poem

    Second-grader Pheba wrote a small poem that tells in just a few words what her subject does and how she feels about it.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Poem
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Horses

    Second-grade writer Kirsten shares many interesting facts in her report. Notice how she ties everything together by mentioning the horse’s good eyesight in both the first and last paragraphs.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    Ladybugs

    This report was submitted by Brittany, a second grader. The ending of Brittany’s report shares exactly how she feels about her subject.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science
    Nature

    Student Writing Model

    The Horrible Day

    This is a fun story with lots of details.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Life
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    Leaf Person

    In Bowen’s story, he imagines himself as a leaf. He gives lots of details about being blown around by the wind.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story
    Theme: 
    Imagination
    Environment

    Student Writing Model

    Happy Easter

    This model is based on a story submitted by first-grader Ashley. Her story has a main character with a problem. The problem is solved in an interesting way.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Creative Writing
    Form: 
    Story Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Holidays

    Student Writing Model

    Parrots

    First-grader Traci begins and ends her report with a main idea about parrots: they are pretty, colorful birds.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Research Writing
    Form: 
    Report
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Science

    Student Writing Model

    Sweet Spring

    This writing has delightful details and a clear voice.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Seasons
    Environment
    Nature
    Plants

    Student Writing Model

    How Much I Know About Space

    Ryan tells what he learned on a visit to a space center.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Science
    Education

    Student Writing Model

    My Favorite Pet

    Adam, the first-grade writer of this model, uses his senses to describe his cat—fluffy, soft, fat. Readers can “see” and “feel” Buzz.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Explanatory Writing
    Form: 
    Explanatory Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Animals
    Family
    Home

    Student Writing Model

    A Happy Day

    This writing shows the feelings of the writer and is well organized.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Narrative Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love

    Student Writing Model

    My Trip to Mexico

    Many details are included in this writing, and a personal tone emerges. The piece has a clear beginning, middle, and ending.

    Level: 
    Grade 1
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Narrative Paragraph
    Theme: 
    Play
    Travel
    Geography

    Student Writing Model

    My Dad

    Dylan, a second-grade writer, shares his very personal feelings in an honest, direct way. His first and last sentences tell the whole story; and the middle sentences give the reader important, heartfelt details about Dylan’s experience.

    Level: 
    Grade 2
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Family
    Love
    Life

    Student Writing Model

    Jet Bikes

    Fifth-grader Ethan moves the reader smoothly through his personal narrative with transition words like first, then, also, so far, and when.

    Level: 
    Grade 4
    Grade 5
    Mode: 
    Narrative Writing
    Form: 
    Personal Narrative
    Theme: 
    Goals
    Work
    Money
    Life
    Sports
    Exercise

    Blog Post

    Unlocking Literacy Across the Curriculum

    21st Century Skills: 
    Learning Skills
    Literacy Skills
    Communicating
    Information Literacy
    Media Literacy
    Technology Literacy
    Writing
    Reading
    Speaking
    Listening

    Blog Post

    Teaching the Process of Learning

    21st Century Skills: 
    Inquiry Process
    Questioning
    Planning
    Researching
    Creating
    Improving
    Presenting

    Blog Post

    Developing Students' Social-Emotional Intelligence

    Social-Emotional Intelligence: 
    Emotion
    Socialization
    Impulse Control
    Attention and Focus

    Blog Post

    Test Your Social-Emotional Intelligence

    Social-Emotional Intelligence: 
    Attention and Focus
    Impulse Control
    Emotion

    Blog Post

    Teaching Innovation and Problem Solving

    21st Century Skills: 
    Critical Thinking
    Creative Thinking
    Problem Solving

    Blog Post

    Critical and Creative Thinking: Lessons from Calvin and Hobbes

    21st Century Skills: 
    Learning Skills
    Critical Thinking
    Creative Thinking
    Problem Solving

    Blog Post

    5 Questions to Analyze Any Communication

    21st Century Skills: 
    Learning Skills
    Communicating

    Blog Post

    Deeper Thinking for the Common Core

    21st Century Skills: 
    Critical Thinking
    Creative Thinking
    Problem Solving
    Building Arguments
    Succeeding in School
    Taking Tests

    Blog Post

    Helping Students Be Awesome

    21st Century Skills: 
    Project-Based Learning
    Inquiry Process
    Questioning
    Planning
    Researching
    Creating
    Improving
    Presenting

    Blog Post

    100 Guiding Questions for Summer

    21st Century Skills: 
    Inquiry Process
    Questioning

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