BUILD BETTER WRITERS – DAILY SENTENCE WARM-UPS + TESTER PAGES

Well, it’s here folks.  The last day of our glorious vacation.  It’s been a marvelous 2 weeks off and I can’t complain.  We went to Reno, ate the most amazing meals, saw oodles of friends, and had such fun with the family. However, when that alarm clock sounds at 5:15 tomorrow, it’s time to get back to business.  Oh, how I will miss rotting in my PJs and working on the computer until 3 or 4 pm, but I am ready to see those smiling faces and try some new things in Room 13!   

On that note, let me share one of the NEW things I am super excited to try tomorrow.  When I met my teaching partner down at school over the break, we both agreed that many of our little writers are not “blossoming” like they should during this time of year.  We already have writing instruction and practice embedded throughout our schedule, but we need MORE.  However, easier said than done!  Here’s the conundrum . . . we have a class of 25 very “spirited” kids and a jam-packed schedule that ties our hands quite a bit.  So, we came up with a daily LEVELIZED sentence writing warm-up that’s quick, easy, and NO PREP.   

Here’s how it’s going to roll come Monday.  When the kiddos arrive each day, a LEVELIZED (there’s that key word again) will serve as their morning job. They will have about 10 minutes to get ‘er done as well as take care of the usual morning business (lunch count, turn in folders, put backpack away, etc). I think it is going to be just the ticket for our crew!  Now, morning isn’t the ONLY time you can roll with these warm-ups.  I see this working oh so well right after recess, right after lunch, or as a “ticket to lunch.”

Now, I kept mentioning the word LEVELIZED.  It sure is a beautiful word, isn’t it??!  Well, I keep droppin’ this little term as the collection was designed to target meaningful instruction to each and every child in your class.  There are THREE levels of sentence warm-ups hiding in this pack – beginning, emerging, and developing.  Here’s a little more on what each level entails . . . 

I made each level “look” the same as to not single kiddos out . . . tricky teacher over here!!!  The first level is for your below-level crew. It’s super sight word heavy and I attempted to draft basic decodable sentences.  The emerging set ups the ante and targets on-level kiddos.  They need to add details to a basic sentence. Finally, the third level is for your above-level sweeties.  It asks kids to incorporate three words from a word bank.  I am really going to push my top kids to give me a complex and detailed sentence!!!!

We all have fast finishers in our rooms.  Well, I planned for these kids as well. Each level has a Super Sentence Challenge listed at the bottom of the page. The first two levels focus on sight words, while the last asks for a second sentence. If they finish this too, I am going to ask students to illustrate their sentence on the back of the page.  How ya like them sharpened pencils??

Here’s a sample of the back of a Level 2 sheet.

On that note, I am just about out of here.  However, maybe you would like to try these with your crew before you invest?  I put together a little sample pack that includes two days of warm-up sheets (all three levels).  If you like what unfolds in your room, come on back and treat yourself to the whole packet (it’s a month’s worth of levelized learning for only $4). A new warm-up packet will be released each month — I am making them as we go this year.  

CLICK HERE to snag the FREE sheets!!!