Spring Puts New Life into Writing
by Rita Sorrentino and her students
In the aftermath of the PSSA, a class of third grade students signed up for spring training. There was no trip to Clearwater or membership in a club. Instead, we used the sights and sounds around our school to spruce up our sentences. After brainstorming a list of spring’s specialties, each student focused on one sight, sound or activity. Using an idea from Image Grammar by Harry Noden, the students wrote sentences, which were displayed, on the Smart Board. Gradually, they noticed that most of the sentences started with I and had an average length of about 6 words. We analyzed the sentences, observed their relationship to the images chosen, and zoomed in to find more details. At this point I introduced them to the idea of getting their sentences into shape using “participles!” This strange new word intrigued them, and they were anxious to join in the exercise after I modeled a few transformations. Their revised sentences were posted under the originals, and they were pleased with the results. Here is a glimpse:
Spring Sentences
by Room 14
I like spring because I ride my bike.
> Riding my bike after school, I see amazing new things in my neighborhood. (Max)
I eat popsicles and water ice.
> Licking our cold popsicles, we enjoyed the fruity flavors. (Sean)
I can jog on a spring day.
> Jogging in the park on a spring day, friends get fresh air and exercise. (Armaza)
My dad and I ride our bikes.
> Riding our bikes in spring, my dad and I feel the cool wind across our faces. (Kamal)
I see flowers growing in spring.
> Facing the sun, the flowers are growing in my yard. (Charell)
I like to pick flowers.
> Picking tulips in my grandma’s garden, I feel the pink petals as smooth as a baby’s bottom. (Kalisa)
I saw a bee trying to get nectar from a flower.
> Watching the bee suck nectar from a flower, I stand still so it doesn’t come and sting me. (Rafiq)
My fourth graders, also test weary, used the beautiful spring day as a prompt for free-style writing. These certainly lifted my spirits.
Spring Has Come
by Shandrika
It’s springtime.
It’s springtime.
Take off your hats, scarf, and gloves.
Winter has gone.
Come, clouds.
Bring gentle rain to water the flowers.
Come, sun.
Bring warm weather so kids can play.
In spring, let me feel free.
Spring Feelings
by Makiya
Spring is like a beautiful flower
- just starting to bloom.
It makes me feel
- like I can block out the world
- and just fly to the sky.
It makes me feel
- like a pretty butterfly,
- soaring to achieve anything
- if I put my mind to it.
This is what spring feels like to me.
Spring’s To-Do List
By Anissa
Spring put together her to-do list so everything would be ready for the new season of fresh air, warm weather, colorful fashion, and fun activities.
Remind the birds to fly back North
Provide flowers with plenty of sunlight and rain
Let the daylight stay out later
Help the butterflies emerge from their cocoons
Tell the kids to bring out bikes, kites and other fun things to play with
Prepare to fire up the grills.
Thank Mother Nature for all her help with the colors that will appear everywhere.
Students need to experience writing in many ways. Form and function may have their places, but with enough time and practice, students can find their voices and styles.
Rita Sorrentino is the technology teacher at Overbrook Elementary. Rita joined the Philadelphia Writing Project in 1994 as a teacher consultant. This year Rita was honored with a "Teacher as Hero" award from the National Liberty Museum.