Category Archives: Reading Enrichment

#55: Bio Poems

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

A bio poem is a simple poem that provides biographical information about a person, historial figure, or literary character.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #55: Bio Poems

2. A bio poem is a simple poem written about a person, and it follows a predictable pattern. Bio poems generally don’t rhyme, and they can be autobiographical (about another person) or biographical (about yourself). Record this information on your recording sheet.

3.  Decide who you want to research for your Bio Poem. Here are some options to get your brainstorming kick started.

  • American Presidents
  • African American Leaders
  • Influential Women
  • Favorite Athlete, Musician or Artist
  • Family Member or Friend
  • Yourself

4. Research your selected person (or interview family member) so that you have content for your Bio Poem. Take notes on your recording page.

5. Read the sample Bio Poem below about Rosa Parks.

6. Use the guide and template below to draft your own Bio Poem!

Optional: Draw or include a picture of your selected person.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your poem with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#54: What’s Cooking

Reading Enrichment

This mini spark has you wring all about cooking up something in the kitchen!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #54: What’s Cooking

2. Learn how to write a recipe. Watch this video to show you the steps. Take simple notes on your recording page about  the procedural text steps.

3. Learn how to write a recipe like a professional. Read this article which outlines the process.  This is very detailed, but has some really good pointers. On your recording page, write about how this article is helpful.  Include a question you have about writing recipes as well.

4. Ask a grandparent, relative, parent(s), teacher, etc. for a recipe idea. Add a picture of the recipe to your recording sheet

5. Using the recipe that you have been given, create a more formal version using the information from the video and the article.  The recipe should be typed and please include all of the procedural text steps.

OPTIONAL: Make something in the kitchen and take a picture/video of the process and/or final product.  Make sure your creation has a name and that you provide the ingredients necessary to make your recipe.  Make sure to get an adult’s approval first before you start.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page, starting recipe, and final recipe with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

#53: Character Quotes

Reading Enrichment

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #53: Character Quotes

Step 1:  Download Adobe Spark Post for Graphics from Manager.  Here’s a quick video tutorial on how to login.  You can also go to https://spark.adobe.com/sp/ on a computer.

Step 2:  Create a new project that includes a quote from a character in a book you’ve read or from a book you’re currently reading.  Be sure to add the title of the book and the author.

Step 3:  Download your project and share it with your teacher

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#52: Thank You Notes

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

An act of expressing your appreciation through a few words, a thank you note, is an important way to show your gratitude for someone and their time. In this mini spark you will learn about the basics and create a thank you note for Veteran’s Day.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #52: Thank You Notes

2. Veteran’s Day is November 11th, visit this website to learn more about the history of Veterans Day. Record 5 details about the history of veteran’s day to your recording page.

3. Learn the basics of writing a thank you note. Write each bold prase on your recording page as you read step 3.

Greeting. Don’t forget to make sure you’re using the correct form and spelling of the person’s name. Put a comma after the greeting.

  • Dear Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob,

Express your thanks. Begin with the two most important words: Thank you.

  • Thank you so much for…
  • It made my day when I opened…
  • I’m so grateful you were there when…

Add specific details. Tell them how you plan to use or display their gift. It shows them that you really appreciate the thought that went into it. Even if it’s cold hard cash, describe how you’ll spend the stuff.

  • Here’s a picture of me with my new briefcase. I look so professional!
  • I can’t wait to use the birthday money you sent to decorate my dorm room.
  • The going-away party meant so much to me. Having all my friends and family in one place was something I’ll never forget.

Look ahead. Mention the next time you might see them, or just let them know you’re thinking of them.

  • We look forward to seeing you next month at Lucy’s party.

Restate your thanks. Add details to thank them in a different way.

  • Again, thank you for your generosity. I’m so excited about college. I’ll let you know all about it when I get settled.
  • We felt so blessed that you made the trip to be with us on our wedding day. We can’t wait to see you again soon!

End with your regards. “Sincerely” is a safe standby, but for closer relationships, you might choose a warmer option.

  • With love,
  • Many thanks,
  • Yours truly,

4. Read over this graphic about writing thank you notes. Write 3-5 reminders on your recording page.

5. Try it! On your recording page, use the steps from #3 and write a thank you note. You can write a pretend note to a fictional person or you can write one to someone who you would like to thank for helping you.

6.  OPTIONAL: Use this template or use your recording page to write a thank you note to a Veteran. If you do not personally know a veteran, you can write a general thank you to all Veterans.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your thank you note with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Source: https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/how-to-write-a-thank-you-note/

#51: Happy Spelling!

Enrichment Links, Other Events & Contests, Reading Enrichment, Spelling Bee

It is fun to learn how to spell new words. This mini spark is a great way to find new words to practice. Happy Spelling!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #51: Happy Spelling!

2. Find practice words. Look through the choices and find the list that is right for you

grade 3  

grade 4   

grade 5   

grade 6   

grade 7  

grade 8

3. Choose 15 words from the grade level that suits you and add them to your recording page.

4. Study the spelling of your new words.

5. When you are ready, have a teacher, parent, or peer give you a spelling test over the 5 hardests words on your list. Use your recording page for the test.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your test with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#50: News Report Writing

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

The purpose of news report writing is to inform an audience. A news report is a story that is currently happening or that just happened. Writing a news report is easy if you write about the subject in a style that is clear, concise, and active. One of the best practices for writers is to follow is using the Who, What, Where, When,Why, and How of a story.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #50: News Report Writing

2. One should gather answers to the 5 W’s and H questions while writing about an event or something that happened. Record the 5 W’s and H on your recording sheet

3. Watch this video about the basics of writing a news report and take 5 notes on your recording page.

4. Visit, Scholastic Kids Press. Select an article and identify the 5 W’s in the story on your recording page

Choose number 5 ot 6

5. Complete the following News Report Writing activity. Look at the chart and choose a W for each part of the story. Write your report on your recording page.

6. Prepare your own new report about a current event. Add it to your recording page. OPTIONAL STEP: Set up your ipad and video yourself reading your report aloud.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator

#49: Descriptive Writing

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or thing in such a way that a picture is formed in the reader’s mind. Capturing an event through descriptive writing involves paying close attention to the details by using all of your five senses.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #49: Descriptive Writing

2. Watch this Ted-Ed Video. Watch this video. Record the sentence from Hurricane Fever on your recording sheet. Explain how the words are chosen to help the reader connect with the story with their senses.

3. In the video, the narrator describes the characteristics of descriptive writing and gives several examples. Read these 4 reminders and summarize each one on your recording sheet.

  •  Good descriptive writing includes many vivid sensory details that paint a picture and appeals to all of the reader’s senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste when appropriate. Descriptive writing may also paint pictures of the feelings the person, place or thing invokes in the writer.
  • Good descriptive writing often makes use of figurative language such as analogies, similes and metaphors to help paint the picture in the reader’s mind.
  • Good descriptive writing uses precise language. General adjectives, nouns, and passive verbs do not have a place in good descriptive writing. Use specific adjectives and nouns and strong action verbs to give life to the picture you are painting in the reader’s mind.
  • Good descriptive writing is organized. Some ways to organize descriptive writing include: chronological (time), spatial (location), and order of importance. When describing a person, you might begin with a physical description, followed by how that person thinks, feels and acts.

4. Give it a try! For the following sentences, rewrite it using rich descriptive language. Keep the five senses in mind. You can use the following and rewrite each OR use one as a prompt and write a descriptive paragraph or stort story. Record all work on your recording sheet.

  • Sight – The girls went to the city park.
  • Sound/Hearing – We went to the stadium to watch our favorite team.
  • Smell – The waitress brought our food to the table.
  • Taste – My grandma made us cookies.
  • Touch – I walked to school this morning not knowing they had called a snow day.

5. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#48: Literary Device Lesson-Flashback

Reading Enrichment

For this mini-spark, we will focus on the literary device Flashback. Flashbacks in literature are when the narrator goes back in time for a specific scene or chapter in order to give more context for the story. Oftentimes, we see flashbacks in books where the past greatly impacts the present or as a way to start a story off on an interesting note.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #48: Literary Device Lesson-Flashback

2. Record this definition on your recording page- A flashback is when the author reveals something that has happened to a character prior to the time the story is taking place. In a flashback, present action in a story is temporarily interrupted so the reader can witness past events; it usually takes the form of memories, dreams, or a story within the story.

3. Watch this clip from Ratatouille where food critic, Anton Ego flashes back to his childhood. Write 2 sentence explaining the flashback.

4. Think about what Anton Ego experienced while having a flashback. Write about a time your tasted or smelled something and experienced a flashback.

Note: If you can’t think of anything, your can write about Anton’s experience in the video clip. What did we learn about in this flashback? How did it help develop his character?

5. Complete this flashback activity. You can print it or put your responses on your recording sheet.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and flashback activity with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#47: Blackout Poetry

Reading Enrichment

Blackout poetry is when you take a piece of text from a book, newspaper, or magazine and blackout words to create your very own poetry

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #47: Blackout Poetry

2. A blackout poem is when a poet takes a marker (usually black marker/Sharpie) to already established text–like in a newspaper–and starts redacting words until a poem is formed. The key thing with a blackout poem is that the text AND redacted text form a sort of visual poem. When only the chosen words are visible, a brand new story is created!  Define blackout poetry on your recording page.

 

 

 

3. Blackout poems can be created using the pages of old books or even articles cut from yesterday’s newspaper. Using the pages of an existing text, blackout poets isolate then piece together single words or short phrases from these texts to create lyrical masterpieces. Where can you find a page to use for a blackout poem?

4. Blackout poems, as I’m sure you can imagine, run the gamut from absurd to sublime because all of the words are already there on the page, but the randomness is all part of the fun!  We truly believe a poem lives within the words and lines of any page, and encourage you to uncover it. Creating a blackout poem involves steps that are all about deconstruction and then reconstruction.  Look up both of those words and write the meaning on your recording page. 

5. Get started on your poem. Talk with your teacher about finding a book page/newspaper/magazine page to use for this project. Gather other art supplies-pencil, markers, and so on.

Step 1: Scan (or cut out) the page or article first before reading it completely. Keep an eye out for an anchor word as you scan. An anchor word is one word on the page that stands out to you because it is packed and loaded with meaning and significance.  Starting with an anchor word is important because it helps you to imagine possible themes and topics for your poem.

Step 2: Now read the page of text in its entirety. Use a pencil to lightly circle any words that connect to the anchor word and resonate with you. Resonant words might be expressive or evocative, but for whatever reason, these are the words on the page that stick with you. Avoid circling more than three words in a row.

Step 3: List all of the circled words on a separate piece of paper. List the words in the order that they appear on the page of text from top to bottom, left to right. The words you use for the final poem will remain in this order so it doesn’t confuse the reader.

Step 4: Select words, without changing their order on the list, and piece them together to create the lines of a poem. You can eliminate parts of words, especially any endings, if it helps to keep the meaning of the poem clear. Try different possibilities for your poem before selecting the lines for your final poem. If you are stuck during this step, return back to the original page of text. The right word you are searching for could be there waiting for you.

Step 5: Return to the page of text and circle only the words you selected for the final poem.  Remember to also erase the circles around any words you will not be using.

Step 6: Add an illustration or design to the page of text that connects to your poem. Be very careful not to draw over the circled words you selected for your final poem!

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and and your poem with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

Lesson idea from: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/john-depasquale/blackout-poetry/

Check out the blackout poetry badge at the EY website. You can use your poem from this mini spark as task 6 on your badge if you want!

#46: CALLING ALL READERS

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Are you an enthusiastic reader who likes to read current event articles from a variety of sources? Check out…………DOGO NEWS!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #46: CALLING ALL READERS

2. DOGO NEWS consists of daily news sites and includes text, photos, graphics, and audio and/or video materials prepared about current events, social studies science, and more! The main topics are at the top of the page.

3. Go to DOGO News and explore. Pick out 3 articles to read and complete step 4 for each one

4. For each article you choose to read follow these steps.

  • Put the name of the article on your recording sheet.
  • Record several of the bolded words from the article.
  • If there are videos included on the page, watch at least 1 and write one sentence about it
  • If there are maps, graphs, or infographics take the time to look at them and write one sentence about each one.
  • Summarize the article and type a question you have after reading the article

4. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.