Know what you want to write but aren’t sure where to start? These sentence prompts will help. Remember these 6 openings and you can write anything you want

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #36: 6 Ways to Start a Sentence 

2. Watch this video and take notes on your recording page for each of the ideas.

3.  This is an article on this same topic. Read the article, 5 tips, and the example paragraphs. Write down 5 new ideas.

4. On your recording page write a 6 sentence paragraph about a topic of your choice.  Use a different strategy for each sentence. Underline each beginning with a different color.

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

Many years ago, it was common for students to regularly be assigned the memorization of a poem or part of a historical document.  Today, that does not happen in schools as regularly.  But, did you know that memorization is good for you???

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #35: Living Poetically

2. Here are three big ways that memorization will improve your reading and speaking skills.  First, reciting a piece that is memorized will help you learn to articulate your words (speak clearly).  Second, memorization has been shown to increase your vocabulary because you familiarize yourself with words that you may have not otherwise come across.  Lastly, increasing your vocabulary has been shown to increase your reading comprehension.  Wow! Write these 3 items on your recording sheet.

3. The following link has some more suggestions of what to memorize AND gives some pointers on how to memorize. Read the whole article and record 3-5 points on your recording sheet.

4. Pick one of the poems off of the memorization list to print. Record your choice on your recording page.

5. Work on this project for a few days.

6. The EY Coordinator/teacher would love to get a video of you reciting a poem or part of a historical document. Practice until you are ready and then take a video with your ipad reading the poem you picked. Make sure to say the name of the poem and the author before you start.

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

Word squares are grids of letters that cross horizontally and vertically. In the puzzle below, the word TRAP is located in the top row and left-most column; ROME can be seen in the second row from the top and the second column from the left; AMEN is found in the third row from the top and the third column from the left; and PENT occurs in the bottom row and in the right-most column. All the words cross each other in a perfect square arrangement. (taken from Psychology Today)

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page:#33:Word Squares

2. Take a look at this one.  DEN is spelled vertically and horizontally in the first column and row respectively.  EYE is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 2nd column/row, and NET is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 3rd column/row

3. Try These 3 Word Squares. Record your answers on your recording page.

4. Create the Word Squares from these given clues!  Use this sheet to record your answers.

5. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your word square sheet with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Mo Willems is a well-known author and illustrator celebrated for his entertaining and captivating children’s literature. He is recognized for creating beloved characters such as the Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie, and Knuffle Bunny. His narratives frequently incorporate humor, relatable experiences, and interactive features, making them favorites among both children and adults.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #24: Mo Willems

 2. Watch this read aloud of the book Waiting Is Not Easy.  Think about 3 times during your day when you have to wait for something.  What advice do you have for other kids when they are frustrated about having to wait.  Write your suggestions on your recording sheet.

3.  Watch this read aloud of the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay up Late.  Pigeon was very creative when thinking about ways to avoid going to bed. What would be other ideas for how Pigeon could avoid going to bed? Write 3-5 ideas on your recording sheet.

4. In this interview Mo Willems talks about how his journey began and what projects have inspired him. What metaphor does Mr. Willems use to describe how ideas grow, and what does it signify about creativity?

6.  Mo Willems makes masterful use of speech bubbles and thought bubbles in his books. Speech bubbles can be an effective tool for writing prompts, reading responses and inference. Read this teaching page about speech bubbles. Record 3 important ideas writers should remember about how to use them properly. 

7. Open this template. Look over the images on the three pages. Choose one of the pages to use for your own story. On your recording sheet brainstorm some ideas about a story line you can create to go along with the Elephant and Piggies actions on the page you have choosen.   

8. Create your own Elephant and Piggie dialogue on your recording page. Ask someone to read it over and make suggestions. 

9. Print the template you need for your story. Transfer your final story to the template. Optional: Color your page and outline your words with a thin black marker. 

10.  Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Optional: Create a silly story with this Elephant and Piggie Mad Lib page

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #29: Snapple Facts

2. Did you know how much a bumblebee bat weighs? Do you know the national animal of Scotland? Record your guesses on your recording sheet and then click the links to find out.

3. Click the arrows at Snapple Facts to explore more facts.

4. Print this recording sheet or use your recording page and record 5 interesting facts that you found.

5. Do some further research on one fact.  Add at least 5 details to your recording page.

6. Finally, display your researched fact on a Pic Collage or other digital tool.

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

Check out the Fact Monster Badge at the EY Badge Page.

What are Fairy Tales?  According to Merriam-Webster, a fairy tale is “a story (as for children) involving fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins) – called also fairy story”.  

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #28: Fairy Tales

2. Have you seen Beauty and the Beast? Watch this short clip from the animated movie. Record 4 characters from the clip and explain how they are magical.

3. The original Beauty and the Beast (French: La Belle et la Bête) is a traditional fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins. Read this article about this fairy tale. On your recording sheet record 5 details.

4. Please read this Wonderopolis article, How Old are Fairy Tales?  Make a 5 question quiz and answer key to go along with the article.

5. Go to this website and choose 2 more fairy tales to read. Record the title and a short summary of the story on your recording page.

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