My Favorite Holiday Tradition

Title of Project: Opinion Writing- My Favorite Holiday Tradition

Schools and Teachers

Shelter Rock Elementary Teachers: Ashley Arcuri & Christina Arata

ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology

Entering, Emerging | Stand-Alone | 1W7, 1SL1, 5SL1 | Flipgrid, Buncee

Assessments

Formative & Summative:

I can plan my writing using Buncee images and typing key responses.

I can use Flipgrid to record my writing.

I can use Flipgrid to interact with students I don’t see often.

I can use Flipgrid to positively respond to my peers.

Description

Students are pre-taught how to write opinion pieces through teacher modeling. Students complete a Buncee graphic organizer to plan ideas of their favorite holiday traditions. Students draft a scaffolded response to share on Flipgrid to their penpal.

Content

I can identify an opinion text using keywords and phrases. I can generate opinions on a topic. I can write grade-level appropriate responses.

Language

I can use opinion-writing vocabulary. I can write in complete sentences. I can use my senses to add detail to my writing. I can write a paragraph about one idea. I can read my writing clearly and loudly. I can generate a positive response to my peers.

Technology

I can plan my writing using Buncee images and typing key responses. I can use Flipgrid to record my writing. I can use Flipgrid to interact with students I don’t see often. I can use Flipgrid to positively respond to my peers.

Student work

Procedure

  • Students are pre-taught how to write opinion pieces through teacher modeling in a co-taught setting.

  • Students are asked scaffolded questions based on language proficiency and grade levels.

  • Students complete a Buncee graphic organizer to plan ideas of their favorite holiday traditions.

  • Students use scaffolded responses to reflect grade level expectations (ie. 5th grader uses complete sentences, 1st grader uses one word phrases)

  • Students work with their respective teacher to complete it in a stand-alone setting.

  • Students draft a scaffolded response to share on Flipgrid to their penpal. Responses reflect grade level expectations in conjunction with language proficiency level (ie. 5th grade student writes a paragraph with details, 1st grade student generates one sentence for each sense).

  • Students read their opinion writing on Flipgrid clearly and fluently. Responses reflect their grade level expectations. Responses are completed in the stand-alone setting.

  • Students send a positive comment about each other’s responses using Flipgrid. Responses are completed in the stand-alone setting.

Reflection

It is difficult for a 5th grade and 1st grade student, whose native languages and cultures are very different, to interact and feel comfortable around each other. Surprisingly, by the end of the presentation they were comfortable giving each other positive feedback. We are lucky we were able to finish this mini-unit before the closure. We would have liked to extend this unit and give them another topic to complete independently to assess mastery of vocabulary, implementation of details, and fluent Flipgrid responses.