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01 Starting to Write

Page
011
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Write Away

Starting to Write Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Classrooms where writing is celebrated are filled with students like the ones presented in this chapter. Students in them write notes, poems, reports, journals, plays, songs, and much more.

To introduce this chapter, ask students to complete this open-ended sentence: “I like writing because . . .” Display some of their ideas. Then tell students that in this chapter they will learn why six other students like writing.

Think About It

“I’ve known since second grade that I wanted to be a writer.”

—Paula Danziger

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.10

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.6

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.2.RF.4.4

LAFS.2.W.2.5

LAFS.2.W.2.6

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.4.b.6

110.4.b.11.C

110.4.b.11.D

110.4.b.11.E

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

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Read, Read, Read

Read aloud and discuss this page with students. Then ask students these types of questions:

  • What are some of your favorite books?
  • What book are you reading right now?
  • Has a book given you an idea for a story you have written?
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.RF.4.4
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.6
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.1.4

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 2
21st Century Skills:
ReadingReading to Learn
English Language Arts:
Reading

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Pick Good Ideas

After sharing this page with students, ask for volunteers to answer open-ended questions like these:

  • What has been your best day ever?
  • What is the funniest thing that has happened to your pet?
  • Who is your favorite person?

Inform students that it is important and fun to write about special people, places, and events in their lives.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.W.2.5
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.11.C, 110.4.b.11.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.2.1.e, LA 2.2.1.f, LA 2.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
PrewritingWriting Process

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Try Different Forms

Read and discuss this page with students. Then turn to page 5 in Write Away, which lists the different forms of writing. As you read through the list, have students raise their hands if they have tried a particular form. Then ask them if they have tried other forms. And finally ask them to list one or two forms that they would like to try.

State Standard Reference:

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing Project
English Language Arts:
Writing Process

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Practice, Practice, Practice

Share with your class the advice on this page. Then ask if any students write every day, even when they are not in school. Also ask them if they practice any other skills on a regular basis. Also consider asking them to explain what this adage means, “Practice makes perfect” and how it could apply to writing.

State Standard Reference:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing

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Share Your Writing

Read and discuss this page with your class. Ask students if they have a story or other piece of writing that they would like to share with the class. Provide time for a sharing session. Consider linking this page with “Getting Help from a Partner” on pages 40–43.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.2.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.4.b.11.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 2.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 2
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Presenting
English Language Arts:
PublishingWriting Process

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Have Fun

Share the basic advice with the class. Then display this quote: “Writing is like digging in the sand for a buried treasure” by writer James Howe. Ask students to explain the quote and how it makes writing sound like fun.

Enrichment activity: Make a bulletin board about writing. Have each student create a self-portrait with a speech bubble sharing his or her thoughts about writing.

State Standard Reference:

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 2
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing