Lesson Ideas for Writing a Lead - How to Teach Leads in Writing

There's no doubt about it...a composition's lead is paramount! Would you read a book with a boring opening? Not me! A story's lead is its first impression, so it must be dynamite! 

I've put together a FREE lesson for writing a lead that you can grab here. Be sure to download the freebie and then learn all about how I like to teach how to write a lead below.

STEP 1: Build Background

Give students background information on what a lead is.  Remind students that when writing and improving their lead sentences, they should consider their audience. 

Teach students that...
--- Leads are the beginning sentences of a story or writing piece.

--- Since the lead is the reader's first impression of your story, it needs to be interesting, engaging, and intriguing.

--- Effective leads begin in the most attention-getting, striking way possible.

STEP 2 - Provide Examples

A great way to help students appreciate the power of an effective lead is to provide them with examples. My favorite way to to this is to share 3 examples and have students rank the samples. Students should give the best lead a #1 ranking and the worst a #3 ranking. 

Share examples like these with students...

--- We toured a cave during our family vacation. 

--- "Watch out!" I screamed as something dark and scary swooped down toward my sister's head.

--- The damp cave sent a shiver down my spine.

Then, have students explain their scores with their peers or the class. Encourage students to give one or two reasons for each ranking. As they investigate the examples, they'll begin to understand the components of an effective lead.

STEP 3: GIVE GUIDED PRACTICE

There are many different ways to write an engaging lead. As students learn about writing leads, it's important for them to realize that they must try to appeal to their audience. Share a least 3 different types of leads to do just that.

You might give students guided notes and practice with these types of leads...

--- Middle of the Action - This lead begins with the most exciting moment in the story. For instance, "The sirens of the fire truck came screaming down my street as flames seemed to light the sky on fire."

--- Sensory Details - This lead grabs the reader's attention by creating a picture in the reader's mind with the five senses. For example, "The thick smoke of the warehouse fire blackened the sky and smelled of burning tires."

--- Begin with Dialogue - Another way to begin a story is to start with someone speaking to draw readers into a piece of writing. This could go something like, "Come closer. Stay beside me," my mother urged each of us as the fire trucks whizzed by.

Providing students with clear ways to begin a story helps many of them effectively improve their own leads.

STEP 4: PRACTICE

Once students have a strong understanding of leads, give them a chance to write several leads. You can do this with a "Lead Makeover" activity. Provide students with three lame leads that they must improve. Challenge them to improve the leads with a style that they learned about in Step 3. 

Have students improve the following leads...

--- My birthday party was a lot of fun. (Have students write a new lead that begins in the middle of the action.)

--- Our teacher handed out a pop quiz. (Challenge students to add sensory details to the new lead.)

--- It was the first day of school. (Have students improve this lead with dialogue.)

Once students write new leads, have them share their writing with a partner and small group. Then, have students share out the best leads with the class.

STEP 5: WRITE

At this point, your students will be confident lead writers. Have them put their learning to the test by encouraging them to improve a lead in their current rough draft. If students do not have a rough draft that they are working through, you could give them a writing prompt to help them practice writing an engaging lead.

Have students write a lead for...

--- A time when they won or lost something.

--- A time when they felt scared or nervous.

Challenge students to write a lead in all 3 styles they learned about: middle of the action, sensory details, and dialogue. Then, give students a chance to share their writing with the class.

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I hope this lesson helps to strengthen your students writing. You can find this lesson along with 9 other writing lessons like voice, word choice, and figures of speech in this popular resource. 

Be sure to download the sample lead lesson here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Mary Beth

P.S. Have you seen this post about how to build better writers?

How to Teach Theme - Tips for Teaching Theme in Language Arts

Theme is such an important concept when teaching reading. Students are asked to determine the theme of a text over and over again. However, many students struggle with how to identify the theme. That's why I'm sharing some of my favorite ways to teach theme. You'll find theme lesson ideas, theme activities, and theme passage suggestions to help your students finally figure out how to find theme! 

Sometimes when thinking about theme it is easiest to think about what it is not. Theme is NOT the subject of the text. The subject would be a single word like "childhood" or "friendship." It is NOT a summary. A summary would be several sentences describing the text. Instead, it is the underlying idea of a text. It is what the writer wishes to convey about the subject. Therefore, it is usually written in a phrase or clause.

When teaching theme, I find that it's best to introduce the critical components of theme through notes and a class discussion. My favorite kind of notes are theme doodle notes, of course. Since doodles are more engaging, they're a great way to get students focused as you begin teaching about theme. Once students have a general understanding of theme, you might want to have a discussion with students.

During the discussion ask students to think of texts that have a theme like "Be careful what you wish for" or "Never give up on your dreams." Then, have students discuss the theme of fairytales or fables like "Beauty and Beast" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The notes and discussion will drive home the idea that the theme is not a single word subject, nor is it a multi-sentence summary. Students will realize that the theme is a truth about life revealed in a phrase or clause. 

A work's theme can apply to multiple texts. When you teach about theme you'll want to help students realize that themes need to be general enough to apply to many different texts. Take the theme "Be careful what you wish for." That theme can apply to "The Little Mermaid," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and even "Macbeth." It's important for students to realize that themes are universal. 

You'll also want to expose students to different genres of writing so that students understand that themes are evident in all writing including fiction, nonfiction, prose, and poetry. I've compiled different genres in this theme unit.

Since poems are short and compressed, I love using poems to help students develop an understanding of theme. Take a poem like, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou. In Angelou's poem, the speaker is a child. Angelou's message and the poem's theme is to "be brave when faced with your fears." You might share poems like this or some of my other favorites to help students read several texts and practice determining universal themes.

The theme is the message that the writer wishes to reveal about its subject. It's what the reader is supposed to learn about life after reading the text. Therefore, it is usually not directly stated in the work. Instead, students will need to think about the plot, conflict, characters, and setting and then make an inference or educated guess. When students consider all the elements of the text, they'll need to infer the theme.

 

One way to help students understand that the story is built around the theme is to have them develop their own stories with a theme in mind. At first, you can have students do this by providing them with themes that they will need to portray in a comic strip or skit. For instance, you might have students doodle a comic for the theme "Two heads are better than one." Or, you could have students work in small groups to come up with a skit that has the theme "Friends always show up when you need them." By writing their own texts, students will begin to see how the theme is infused throughout the work.

As students determine the theme of a passage, they'll need to consider a text's plot, characters, conflict, and tone. In other words, they need to think about the entire writing piece and reflect on its message about life. That can be challenging for students. 

That's why I like to give students many opportunities to practice finding the theme. Task cards and mini-passages work especially great for this. I've taken the idea of theme task cards even further with Learning Take Out activities. Students read fiction and nonfiction passages that they grab from take out containers. The passages are the perfect way for students to develop the ability to identify a text's theme.

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As you can tell, there are many ways to teach theme. I think the more chances we can give students to develop their reading skills, the better! If you're looking for some ready-to-teach resources, grab these THEME resources:

⭐--- FINDING THE THEME MINI-UNIT - Doodle Notes and Activities

⭐--- THEME UNIT - 3-Day Theme Unit

⭐--- LEARNING TAKE OUT - Theme Task Cards

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Beth

P.S. Here's my latest resource for teaching theme!

Free Reading Comprehension Skills Doodle Note Pages

 

Reading comprehension skills like making inferences, finding the main idea, and recognizing cause and effect are critical curriculum elements in any ELA classroom. As our students build their reading skills, they need to develop their understanding of 12 different reading comprehension skills. One of my favorite ways to teach students about the reading skills is with doodle notes. 

Don't worry...I've put together a 20+ page set of doodle notes that you can download for FREE! (Sign up at the bottom of this post!)

Have you tried doodle notes in your classroom? If so, you know that...

⭐ Doodle notes are a great way to introduce students to important information.

These doodle notes include definitions for 12 different reading skills. In addition, there are tips provided for each reading skill to help students use each in their reading. The definitions are simple enough for students to understand, but specific enough to help students recognize the differences in each.

⭐ Doodle notes tap into multiple learning styles.

Doodle notes are obviously great for visual learners. They also create a connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This leads to an increase in learning, focus, and retention. The doodles on the note pages also help a variety of learners connect images with information. The free set of reading doodle notes also includes 4 versions for easy differentiation. There are doodle pages for lower grades, upper grades, as well as notes that are filled-in or in a guided notes format.

⭐ Doodle notes expose students to skills they can use in the classroom.

Doodle notes are a fun and engaging spin on traditional notes. The free set of doodle notes focus on reading comprehension skills. Therefore, they work perfectly as a review of skills before students show off their learning while reading passages. Of course, I think reading passages should be engaging, too. So, some of my favorites to combine with the doodle notes are these...

--- Reading Passages and Text-Based Evidence - R.E.A.D. Strategy

--- Social Emotional Learning Passages - Read, Doodle and Do 

--- Nonfiction Reading Passages - Doodle and Do

⭐ Doodle notes are extremely motivating and therefore work as awesome introductions to units.

The free set of reading comprehension skills doodle notes are such an awesome way to introduce students to more in-depth reading units. You could easily have students complete the packet of doodle notes before diving deeper into each reading skill. Or, you could have students complete one section of the doodle notes as they learn about different skills. The good news is that I've already created 12 reading mini-units for each reading skill. Find them here.

⭐ Doodle notes help students review and reinforce information naturally.

When students complete doodle notes, first, they do the work of adding the notes to their pages. However, their learning doesn't end there. Students are super motivated to doodle, color, and embellish their note pages. As they get creative, they naturally read over and review their learning. It's the perfect way to mix creativity and learning!

If you'd like to add this FREE set of reading comprehension doodle notes to your classroom, just add your email and name below. Then, check you inbox for your exclusive freebie!

How to teach fables - Lesson ideas for writing, reading, and analyzing fables

 

Fables are an important part of English Language Arts instruction. The genre, which often includes animals that act like humans and moral lessons, is perfect for targeted lessons in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and analyzing. Classic and modern fables are both entertaining and approachable. Fables also shed light on other cultures, characterization, and moral lessons. Most importantly, they're just plain fun to teach! Here are 6 easy ways to teach fables in your classroom...

I LOVE giving students a chance to write their very own fable. I recommend starting with mentor texts so that students can become experts on the genre. Then, through targeted writing instruction, students can write their own story that includes a moral, animal characters, story elements, and illustrations. As students develop their stories, you can even have them "pitch" their stories to their peers acting as storybook editors. 

Once students have written a strong fable, take these lessons to the next level and let students create a children's book filled with illustrations. You could even have them share their fables with younger students. Check out this ready-to-teach Fable Writing Unit!

Don't you just love lessons that meet a ton of instructional standards at once? Well, this fable unit does just that! It’s a 7-day unit designed around Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and in it students read three different versions of the fable. After building background on each form, they have the opportunity to critically read and respond to the fable in prose, verse, and drama form. 

Through small group work, independent studies, and class discussions students will not only understand and appreciate the elements of a fable and each form of literature, but they’ll also develop a deep understanding of each text. Learn more about this unit here.

Of course, fables are wonderful to read in the classroom. But, why just read a fable when you can also connect, investigate, write, and draw? I created this Foldable Fables resource with Art with Jenny K. to combine reading, writing, and illustrating. This resource is super engaging because students create an accordion-style booklet filled with their learning and creativity. It's fun and educational!

The seven learning activities help students connect deeply to their reading. Check out the super engaging Foldable Fable here!

I've found that fables are wonderful to add to learning stations focused on reading comprehension skills. For instance, in this sequencing centers resource, students investigate "Fox and the Goat" at one of the learning stations. At the station, they're tasked to read the fable and then put the fable in the correct sequence with an interactive shape. 

Since fables are often short and focused they're the perfect addition to reading comprehension learning stations!

Fables lend themselves perfectly to plays. I've found that students respond really well to opportunities to perform short skits and plays in the classroom. In this theme mini-unit, students get to act out "The Four Oxen and a Lion." As a small group, they practice reading out loud, acting, and investigating theme. It's fun for students to get into different characters as they act out a fable!

I'm a big fan of reading out loud to students. Often, I would read stories to students as they completed their daily warm-ups. My read alouds included novels, poems, short stories, and of course, fables. You might mix-up your own read alouds with fables from around the world or modern fables. Here are a few collections of fables that you might want to add to your classroom library...

--- Aesop's Fables: The Classic Edition

--- Buddhist Stories for Kids

--- Filipino Children's Favorite Stories

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I hope you've found some simple ways to teach fables in your classroom! Fables really are wonderful literature treasures for teaching reading, writing, investigating, performing, and more!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Beth

P.S. My friend, Art with Jenny K., has another idea for adding fables to the classroom. Check out her post here.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Free Valentine's Day Bookmarks: Fun and Easy Classroom Activity or Valentine's Day Gift

 

I love celebrating holidays like Valentine's Day in the classroom. I also love encouraging students to read. So, what's better than a free Valentine's Day gift that combines a Valentine's Day message with a bookmark? Nothing! I'm so excited to share these free Valentine's Day bookmarks with you. They work perfectly as Valentine that teachers can give to students. Or, you can print these for a single student to give classmates. Oh...and you could even use the bookmarks as a classroom celebration activity where students make the bookmarks for each other. They're very versatile and so much fun! 

I have a feeling that you're going to love this FREE set of Valentine's Day cards that come in the form of bookmarks. 

Here's why I'm crazy about them...

--- They are easy to make.

--- Their message is sweet.

--- They can be used immediately as a bookmark.

--- They are perfect to give to students or for students to make for others.

--- Oh, and best part? They are free and ready to print right here.

After you print the Valentine's Day bookmarks, follow these simple steps:

1. Color in the rocket ship shape. There are 3 different options. You could also just print the rockets on colored paper. Cardstock works especially well.

2. Then, cut out the rocket ship shape and 3 pieces of yarn (about 10 inches long).

3. Next, punch three holes along the bottom edge of the rocket shape.

4. Fold a piece of yarn in half. Thread it into a hole at the fold. Then, pull the ends of the yarn through the loop. Finally, pull the yarn tight. (Repeat with the other 2 pieces of yarn).

(Don't forget to fill in the "TO" and "FROM.")

Just like that, you'll be ready to give a sweet, fun, and meaningful bookmark to someone special. Again, you can easily make these for your own students. Or, you can allot class time to have students make some bookmark Valentines of their own.

Everything you need to make these simple Valentines is right here.

Enjoy!

Mary Beth

P.S. I have MORE Valentine's Day lessons and ideas. Check them out here.