Visualization

Visualization

I was out for a walk listening to music when Tiny Tim's "Living in the Sunlight" came on.  I started to picture what the character in the song would look like, a blend of Tiny Tim and Spongebob, and thought, you know what I need to do some visualizing with songs again.  I picture taken a blank sheet of paper and folding in four and having students sketch a character from four different songs in each space.

Other songs that might work

"Kick Push" by Lupe Fiasco

"Hair" from the Hair Soundtrack

"Bad Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce

"Wake Up Song" by Nillson

"We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes

I'm sure there are millions of others so give them a shot and see what your kiddos are inspired to see.

Every Living Thing

Every Living Thing
by Cynthia Rylant

In this beautiful collection of short stories, the longest clocking in at 10 pages, we see a variety of ways that animals can help people. For example, in "Slower Than the Rest," sad and struggling 10 year old Leo bonds with a turtle he finds on the highway.  This relationship brings Leo new found confidence.  Other stories that stand out to me are "Retired," "A Pet," "Spaghetti," "Shells," and "Stray."

Simple Texts for Expanding

Simple Texts For Expanding

I've noticed my fifth graders enjoy listening to simple picture books and then rewriting single pages by adding thought shots, dialogue, and action.  The books provide the main idea and the students then provide the specific details that are missing in the book. 

For instance, after reading No, David by David Shannon, students might choose to describe David's actions, thoughts, and dialogue with his mother as he tries to steal a cookie from the cookie jar.


I've found the following books or series of books are easy to adapt to this type of writing.

No, David and related books by David Shannon

Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime and related books  by Bob Shea

Little Critter series by Mercer Mayer

Diary of a Worm and related books by Doreen Cronin

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready For Bed? and related books by Barney Saltzberg

Good Night, Monkey Boy by Jarrett J. Krosoczka