I had a sweet email from a blog reader asking me about the
“Write Me Three” Units I put together.
She asked me to “explain how to use” the Write Me Three sheets I make.
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| Here are my kids completing their Write Me Three activity. |
I jumped on this chance because I simply LOVE these packs.
This structure makes sense to students, helps create independent writers,
and covers so many standards…
but I love them most of all because they are easy to prep and implementation for me! I thought all of your guys would want to know all about these sheets as well.
This structure makes sense to students, helps create independent writers,
and covers so many standards…
but I love them most of all because they are easy to prep and implementation for me! I thought all of your guys would want to know all about these sheets as well.
Here is how I got started on the Write Me Three idea.
My students were okay writers,
but they had a horrible time making connecting sentences on a set topic.
We can write all day long about how “I like mommy and daddy,”
but not so hot on actual topics, especially information text.
their opinion was the only thing they felt confident writing about.
My students were okay writers,
but they had a horrible time making connecting sentences on a set topic.
We can write all day long about how “I like mommy and daddy,”
but not so hot on actual topics, especially information text.
their opinion was the only thing they felt confident writing about.
Our standards specify students write three connected sentences about a topic.
And we need to write about informative, persuasive, and narrative formats.
We are great with narrative, but we were not so good at information.
I had to take a few deep breaths and problem-solve this.
How do I get my kids ready to write three sentences
about ANYTHING that are related and makes since?
Graphic organizers of course.
But, I also had to give them a word wall to build their confidence.
Plus, I had to give my kids writing activities for Work on Writing for Daily 5.
Essentially, I had to teach them a structure for them to complete independently during D5.
How do I get my kids ready to write three sentences
about ANYTHING that are related and makes since?
Graphic organizers of course.
But, I also had to give them a word wall to build their confidence.
Plus, I had to give my kids writing activities for Work on Writing for Daily 5.
Essentially, I had to teach them a structure for them to complete independently during D5.
So I created the first Write Me Three and gave it to my kids in the fall of last year.
I was nervous… I was scared… they were going to hate it and it was going to be very, very bad.
And I was WRONG!
AND THEY ROCKED IT! I was shocked.
They did it and got it. Then I gave them a different Write Me Three
on a different topic and they rocked it again.
Soon, my kids were able to do these activities ON THEIR OWN.
I was nervous… I was scared… they were going to hate it and it was going to be very, very bad.
And I was WRONG!
AND THEY ROCKED IT! I was shocked.
They did it and got it. Then I gave them a different Write Me Three
on a different topic and they rocked it again.
Soon, my kids were able to do these activities ON THEIR OWN.
But the Write Me Three pages are just the first step.
Once they fill in their sheet with three things,
we practice reading the graphic organizer as three separate sentences
and also as one connected sentence using commas and the word “and.” After a few times, my kids can read me their writing as three sentences
And as a connected sentence.
Then, we work on writing these sentences as three different FULL sentences and connected sentences.
Once they fill in their sheet with three things,
we practice reading the graphic organizer as three separate sentences
and also as one connected sentence using commas and the word “and.” After a few times, my kids can read me their writing as three sentences
And as a connected sentence.
Then, we work on writing these sentences as three different FULL sentences and connected sentences.
Since we do Write Me Three sheets ALL year,
I work at the pace and abilities of my class.
I work with them to expand their sentences all the time and
then we end up adding our own images to our writing about the Write Me Three sentences…
NOT writing on the graphic organizer sheets.
Meaning, by the end of the year I can place one or two of the graphic organizer sheets at the station to remind them how to write, but they don’t write on that sheet, just straight in their journals.
I work at the pace and abilities of my class.
I work with them to expand their sentences all the time and
then we end up adding our own images to our writing about the Write Me Three sentences…
NOT writing on the graphic organizer sheets.
Meaning, by the end of the year I can place one or two of the graphic organizer sheets at the station to remind them how to write, but they don’t write on that sheet, just straight in their journals.
So that is the BIG picture, here is where my kids are now.
Two weeks ago, we did a Write Me Three about the fall.
We used a word wall and the Write Me There sheet from this unit.
Here is what the parts look like.
Here is what the parts look like.
I print out a few word walls and one Write Me Three Sheet for each student.
One of the groups wrote about a fallen tree using this Write Me Three sheet.
Here is what one of the students wrote.
Here is what one of the students wrote.
We practiced reading the sentence as:
“The tree has an acorn. The tree has an apple. The tree has a bat.”
{The a’s and an’s are not there when they start to write, but naturally, they learn to add them.}
Then we read the sentence as “The tree has an acorn, apple, and a bat.”
Lastly, I asked my kids to flip their paper over
and write ONE sentence using a blank Write Me Three sheet as a reference only.
Ironically, they didn’t want to write about ONE thing,
since they just wrote about three things.
They also didn’t just copy their other work because we flipped our sheets over.
Many of them wrote about something totally different!
and write ONE sentence using a blank Write Me Three sheet as a reference only.
Ironically, they didn’t want to write about ONE thing,
since they just wrote about three things.
They also didn’t just copy their other work because we flipped our sheets over.
Many of them wrote about something totally different!
Here is an example.
You can see the Write Me Three sheet on the reverse side with the tree image.
And YES my kids can read what they wrote thanks to the word wall.
And YES my kids can read what they wrote thanks to the word wall.
I didn’t take more pictures because I didn’t expect to write this post,
but I promise to try to take more pictures to share with you.
but I promise to try to take more pictures to share with you.
Here is another Write Me Three about the American flag.
Again, this is a process.
Here are some photos of our work in January with snowmen.
We work on expanding sentences by adding describing words.
And here is another example from February when we cover Space.
We used the Write Me Three sheet to get our ideas down,
then we wrote the expanded sentences out in our journals and added illustrations.
Here are some photos of our work in January with snowmen.
We work on expanding sentences by adding describing words.
And here is another example from February when we cover Space.
We used the Write Me Three sheet to get our ideas down,
then we wrote the expanded sentences out in our journals and added illustrations.
I put these graphics organizers and word walls in almost
everything I make because I personally use them that much.
everything I make because I personally use them that much.
Here are my independent units that just contain the Write Me Three sheets and word walls.
And here is a freebie you can try with your kids to see how successful they can be at writing as well.
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| Click here to download this freebie |
I hope this helps answer your question about Write Me Three.
But, if you have more questions, please ask away below!
I am confident your students will love them… but not more than you will!
But, if you have more questions, please ask away below!
I am confident your students will love them… but not more than you will!
Wonderful! I would totally do this if I taught kindergarten. I am the title I teacher, and I work with kinder kiddos who are struggling recognizing letters and are unable to write letters as well as their name; they haven't figured out yet what school is about. What do you do with the strugglers in your class when you do the Write Me Three this early in the year? Our K teachers wait to do writing until later in the year.
great question… I teach at a title 1 school as well. I focus a LOT more on handwriting during the first half of the year for sure, but I start teaching this structure in a teacher led small group now because these kids need to know why we are learning to write. My strugglers do the same writing activities as my high kids, we just don't write the independent sentence. Ironically, those low babies like this more than the high because they know "all the answers are there." It really builds their confidence. I believe in starting writing early because they NEED it early. I don't regret working those low babies like this in the fall, because my the end of the winter, they shine.
I am having difficulty assessing the freebie! So want to use this tomorrow to see how it goes. I also work in a Title 1 school and I am struggling along with my students ;)!
MY FAULT! The preview file was too big! BLAH… I moved it and changed it, read that part of the post again and grab the freebie.
Thank you so much! Will let you know how it works!!!
What a wonderful packet!
I love this approach. Want to try it out now but have to wait for school to start! Thank you!
I’m wanting to use this with my students while we are learning about plants. Which packet would closest fit my need when I’m looking on TPT?
I think you will need this one. Check out the preview to make sure before you buy.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spring-Writing-498705