Language Arts
Check out the links below for sample lessons.
Grade 6 story writing
I like to break down story writing into smaller steps. In this way, students will find it easier to put their thoughts down on paper. After grading the students final work, I like to find common mistakes and have that be a guide on for future lessons. For one grammar activity, I changed a popular story book and added grammar mistakes. Students then had to edit this work.
Additional language arts ideas
Before beginning a unit, I like to have students use their laptops to research several facts about the topic.
My cooperating teacher had a great idea which I plan to incorporate into my future classroom. Each day she put a student in charge of finding and posting an interesting fact on the classroom door. Students enjoyed writing these facts and their peers had a great time reading them.
Free write
Free writing allows students to communicate their thoughts without having to worry about people checking their grammar mistakes. I have students hand in these writings and I respond to what they say without focusing on how they wrote it. This writing activity stimulates creativity and motivates students to want to write. It is also helpful in getting to know the students.
Quiet reading
At the end of a school day, I sometimes like to have students pull up a blanket, grab a book of choice and read quietly to themselves.