Social Story Tools

Here is the social story I hoped to share. I wrote this to help my student Mikaluh with the structure of our workshop time. It really seemed to help and she has often enjoyed reading the story to the class.

Mikaluh's Social Story

There are so many transitions to writing. So many materials. It is fun but can be so complex. What we found with Mikaluh was that transitioning or pressing pause on a piece of writing was very difficult. Therefore we started using the phrase, "If I don't finish today, that's okay!" The whole class began to join in and it has been a sweet moment of workshop time. It really feels okay and frankly it has made that transition easier for a lot of folks. I enjoy when something that was a necessity for one ends up being pretty great for someone else too. 

Mikaluh's Visuals

Yesterday I introduced you to Mikaluh. Several weeks ago we started to use more visuals for her to support her during workshop time. This time of day had been very difficult for her, as it is for many people who have autism. Learning to write is a tricky process anyway. A messy process. If you are someone that likes things to fall into place in a certain way, writing does not necessarily fit real well into that plan.

Here is a series of pictures we use with the whole class to help students transition through the writing workshop process each day.

 

In the video I demonstrate how Mikaluh moves the green magnet. As she finishes one task for the day she moves the magnet. She also has a personal copy in book form with text that tells a story about writing workshop. I will try to share that before the month is over. It has been so wonderful to watch her make the progress she is making in this area of her day. She enjoys workshop time and is feeling success! 

P.S. I made this video before school and you can hear my daughter in the background listening to a story on the computer. :)

A Revision Chart

I love charts. It's no secret. My kids know I love charts. They get excited when we are about to make one, well, at least that is what I believe. I believe that they are as psyched as I am when we talk about "important stuff." This week we have continued to talk about revision...which...in kindergarten may look at times a little more like editing. But, I try to stay true to revision and improving the content and ideas of their story.

Here is our chart!

A Summer Dandelion

Poetry Friday is hosted by the animal loving poet and author herself, Robyn Hood Black (her name is so cool). Visit her at Read, Write, Howl to check out more poetry and touches of many topics, seasons and an animal or two I'm sure!

a seed
it sees
it breathes
the air
and varies
every breath
on wind
it glides
past the corn field
hi and bye
birds eye view
it dives and hides
an eventual
pull to end
the ride
it pops and drops
and droops
and slides
it stumbles over
blows right by
then rests on grass
a blade
or two
and doesn't
know just what to do
but lay and wait
for drops of dew
to sun itself
from noon to two
then burst and grab
and stretch
and slide
along the blades
above to ride
again the wind
will have its turn
but firmly planted
it will learn
to hold and
bend and
weave
and play
until it blows
its seeds away.

A Thanku for Thanksgiving

My Thanku is a thanks to the communities that have become a driving force in both my learning and growth as a teacher of writers. I would not be sprouting into the teacher I am without your kind words. It is truly gratifying!


Sprouts of happiness
Words collect sunshine and rain
Communities grow

Yesterday I heard about a two week challenge at Teaching Authors on Linda's blog Teacherdance.

THE CHALLENGE:
Write a poem of thanks in any form, but haiku are especially welcome. I wrote one in the comments of a fellow blogger and from there wrote a new one to post here as my Thanku submission.
I hope you will submit your own Thanku and check out the roundup at Teaching Authors on November 30th!