Double-Stuff OREOs Please

We recently began teaching the students how to write persuasive essays.

We began by talking with the students about how they all had wonderful ideas on what they wanted or believed, but that sharing those ideas might be challenging because others might not agree with them. They would have to be brave and try to persuade others why their ideas were good ones. Then, we provided some examples of what they might write about (example: it's hard to be an only child) and had them create their own lists.

The next day, students were given time to share their lists with a partner and asked to select a topic that they would be writing about.

On the third day, the language arts teacher taught the students how to use OREO ... Double Stuff OREOs to organize their thoughts. If you've eaten a Double Stuff, then you know it has twice the filling in the middle. That's what we wanted the students to have in their essays - twice the filling, the material, because it would strengthen their arguments and make their essays more persuasive.

Opinion:
Reason #1:
Example #1:
Reason #2:
Example #2:
Opinion restated:

On the 4th day, students started writing their essays using their OREO graphic organizers to guide them.

I'm not sure where the teacher learned about OREO or whether she thought it up herself, but I think it's a good way to teach the students to organize their thoughts. The students seemed to have the most difficulty coming up with good examples to include with their reasons and restating their opinions in a different way.

Top 10 Award

I was recently surprised by The Frugal Teacher when she nominated me for a Teaching Blog Addict Top 10 Award.

This award was created to help encourage teachers who share their classrooms with the online world through blogs.  I am truly honored to receive this award and gladly pay it forward by nominating 10 of my favorite blogs (in no particular order):

A Fly on the Classroom Wall

Imagination Soup

Living Montessori Now

Mrs. Douthard's Directory

Read Write Share

Smart Pants Teaching Resources

Teach Preschool

Teaching Heart

The Miss Rumphius Effect

The Organized Classroom



If you are one of the listed bloggers, please go to to 10 Award instructions pick up your award button.

T H I N K

One of the 5th grade teachers at my school introduced this idea to our students. They've been having a problem with saying things that are not very nice, both in person (at school) and online (after school hours, at home).

I'm not sure where she got the idea, but I thought someone else might be able to use it, so I'm sharing it here.

She has a poster in her classroom. We've been using it verbally when talking to students who seem to have forgotten to think before speaking about the impact of their words.


T - Is it true?
H - Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N - Is it necessary?
K - Is it kind?

If it's not, don't say it

Thanksgiving

I am extremely thankful to be a part of the 5th grade team at the school in which I'm subbing.  Only a week in and I know I'm going to really enjoy my experience and learn so much from the students, teachers, and families.  I appreciate how all have made me feel "at home" in a short amount of time. 

Friday was Colonial Day.  We (5th grade students, teachers, and volunteers) dressed up as pilgrims and Native Americans.  The students learned dances, games, and crafts that were done during the Colonial times.  We had a BBQ of sorts (popped corn over the fire, cornbread, hotdogs over an open pit, and Dutch oven cobbler).  It was an awesome opportunity for the students and our parent volunteers did most of the work.  We're blessed to have such awesome parents!

5th grade!

Last Monday, I was called into the principal's office by the principal of the elementary school (in which I had been an aide for several years). I didn't quite know what to expect but the principal assured me it was very important that we talk immediately.

She asked me if I would be interested in a long-term substitute teaching position. I immediately assured her that I was very interested in such a wonderful opportunity. She, then, gave me the details. She needed a long-term substitute teacher for the 5th grade team. The position would last until the end of the school year (unless either things didn't work out, or students moved away (lowering the student/teacher ratio).

She said that I was smart, worked well with the team, knew the students well, was dependable, willing to learn more, and was ... the perfect person for the job, in her opinion.  She expected that I would be a teacher, that I would not create problems but find solutions, that I would use my talents to help students learn, and develop my discipline skills quickly so that I can best meet the needs of the students.  She also said that the teachers looked forward to helping me develop my skills as a teacher, but that I was expected to report what went well, what didn't, and ask questions in order to help her and them help me become a more effective teacher.  She believed that I would be a valuable part of the team, but that the experience would also prepare me for my future classroom.

So, starting Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7:00am, I will be, for all intensive purposes, a 5th grade teacher for the rest of this school year. I will be coteaching with a female Language Arts/Social Studies teacher and a male Math/Science teacher. Other details are still in the planning stages.

I hope you will follow my blog to see how the remainder of the school year goes. I apologize for not posting more often.