The Grapejuice Story

I don't care if grapejuice is not one word. In fact, this should be Grapejuice. Every time I try to tell this story, I choke laughing. I am smiling now thinking about it again. It literally does not matter how many times I tell this story, I break down, sobbing laughter. You should hear what happens when my sister and I try to tell it together...

Writing Mini lesson

I have recently started a new job in kindergarten. It is a lot of hard work, but I find it to be very rewarding! In addition to the video you have viewed, I have included some samples that students did that very day. I was very pleased with the results initially, but I have since had to do a little reteaching.

They were already familiar with a book about how to play soccer My First Soccer Game by Alyssa Satin Capucilli that is part of the Lucy Calkins writing lesson set that the district has adopted, so the book about baking bread was another how-to book for them to see. This one is Let's Make Bread by Mary Hill.

A few things I may have changed looking back...

Another adult may have made a better and faster sandwich maker, but as I did it, I realized that having a student follow the directions of the other students and make the sandwich in front of them made them more invested in the project.

I needed to have more questions ready during the wait time while my student spread the peanut butter and jelly. I didn't think it would take that long. AND, I should've loosened the jar lids!

I may have split the lesson into two sessions, one as you saw and then dismiss kids to write as they chose, and then a second shorter review lesson to teach writing How To books.

Something I notice that I do without thinking is I try to rush. I have been working slowing down the lessons to make sure everyone is getting it.


Please leave any comments or suggestions you have about the work or the lesson below so I can incorporate those the next time I try it!

Jamolyn 1 Page

Scarlett Page 1

Scarlett Page 2

Scarlett Page 3

Ashley 1 Page

Austin Page 1

Austin Page 2

Austin Page 3

Austin Page 4

Betzy Page 1

Betzy Page 2

Betzy Page 3

Brianna Page 1

Brianna Page 2

Eduardo Page 1

Eduardo Page 2

Henry Page 1

Henry Page 2

Henry Page 3

Joshua Page 1

Joshua Page 2

Joshua Page 3

Joshua Page 4

Joshua Page 5

Joshua Page 6

Cut it off

I have been trying to do two things: Get to the point faster and create a better ending to my stories. Please help me out with this :)