Saturday, August 22, 2015

5 Minutes to Write! Improving Writing Stamina - A Completed Work!

Are Your Students Writing?  

Could 5 Minutes of Writing A Day Make a Difference?
Well the school year is well under way for me and my third graders.  We are now 3 weeks into the school year and I am positive about the school year and implementing one of my summer goals.
Over the summer I wanted to compile my 5 minute writing topics that I worked on for an entire year into a friendly and inexpensive format for teachers.  I completed my 1st edition of 5 Minutes to WRITE! Improving Writing Stamina.
I am fortunate to work with a team of colleagues who are open to new ideas and so far my grade level is using it daily.  I am sure that I will have some mixed reports and some things that I could improve upon, but the most important thing is that it is making a difference with the students in my class.
It is already on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers), and I also included a free download of the first 3 weeks, which includes the how to and classroom management along with 16 prompts.  Here is the link if you want to give it a try.  
In the future my plans are to continuing blogging ideas about 5 minute writing, 5 Minutes to WRITE!, and to answer questions.  
Thanks for reading!
JC

Saturday, June 20, 2015

DRAW A PICTURE! - The Best Gift for Father's Day

DRAW A PICTURE! - The Best Gift for Father's Day
Do you remember when you were a kid and you drew a picture, excitedly told your parent about what was happening in the picture?  Your mom or dad may have paused, smiled, looked at the picture, and either commented or asked more questions.  
Congratulations!  You were writing!  
As a dad I can't help but treasure the drawings that my kids make me.  Some are strange, some are of memories, but I can't toss them away.  With all of the obligations as a dad I do not get the time to draw like I want to for my books and publications.  When I do its not uncommon that I will open a journal ready to draw and  find something that has been "doodled" in one of my journals by my kids.  
I smile!  I am inspired!   
A picture drawn by a child is not just a picture, but a writing of a moment or a story that needs to be told.  It's better than a card purchased at a store.  It's an opportunity for a child to sit on Dad's lap and read their story.  
Stop and draw a picture. 
 It may be the best Father's Day gift you dad receives tomorrow.
Inspiring Kids to Draw - Write - and Read!
Happy Father's Day!
- Jeremy Cole

Looking for a book to read to your kids?  Checkout www.jeremycolebooks.com
Click here to buy The Boy Who Cried Ug!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

5 Minutes to WRITE! SUMMER CHALLENGE

I feel so guilty for not posting in such a long time!  I tried some things with 5 minute writing, quick writes, or what I like to call "5 Minutes to WRITE!"  I enjoyed some great successes with the students in my class this year.  I will talk more about 5 Minutes to WRITE! and what I have been working on later, but right now I want to focus on my 5 Minutes to WRITE! SUMMER CHALLENGE.  19 out of my 25 students stated that they loved 5 Minutes to WRITE! in my classroom this year that they wanted to continue with it over the summer, if I came up with some topics.  So, here you go:
http://www.jeremycolebooks.com/5-minutes-to-write-.html
The students know to bring me their 5 Minutes to WRITE! SUMMER CHALLENGE journals at the beginning of the year.  I can't wait to celebrate their writing and success!

Please feel free use this for educational purposes and share it with your students now since summer is just starting.  I am excited about the 5 Minutes to WRITE! SUMMER CHALLENGE, but even more excited about what I am working on for 5 Minutes to Write! for next year.

Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions.  It helps with what I need to write in my next post.

How will I ever have time to write for this blog when I am too busy running from this T-Rex!