I'm Having a TPT Sale!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am having a sale in my TPT store.  All of my products will be 20% off January 31st- February 1st.  I hope you find something you like for a great price!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sean-Killeen

Words and Music

Words

As I scrolled through my phone, I stumbled upon my note page and noticed a list I generated on New Year's Day about my goals for the year.  Some might call them resolutions and others might refer to the list as things they hope to accomplish. I don't usually make these lists but for some reason I did this year.  This is where I stand:

Present at a Workshop or a Writing Platform

I will be presenting at a Parent Night in my District at the end of next month.  The topic is how parents can help their child with common core work.  I am focusing on writing strategies that will support their child in the classroom.

I've been invited to do a Writing Workshop at an elementary school in the valley next month.  I was granted this opportunity through the National Writing Project.  I became a Writing Fellow through UCLA's Writing Project last summer and it was one of the best educational decisions of my life. My presentation will center on incorporating story telling into narrative writing.  I'll also discuss my scaffolded approach to writing.  This truly is an honor.

Attend Two Conferences by The End of The Year

I might be able to go to a writing conference in San Diego early next month. I'm currently waiting for confirmation.

I'm going to an RTI Conference in Milwaukee in early July.

Get a Gym Membership and Commit to Fit

Getting a gym membership is something I've wanted to do for a long time.  I finally grabbed the bull by the horns and joined a local facility. I've gone two times this week.  Once I get into a routine, I'll be fine. It's good to be back.

Keep an Active Blog

I have been trying my best to post at least once a week.  There have been some weeks where I've blogged once and others where I have blogged twice.

Continue to Write

I enjoy writing on the side when I have free time.  My favorite topics are writing about family, friends and my travels.

Music

I've been playing tons of music in the classroom this year.  We use music for our morning greet, transitions, end of the day packing up, and any other opportunity that calls for music.

Right now I have been listening to Of Monsters of Men.  They have some cool tunes!   "Mountain Sound" is my personal favorite!  I also like the song embedded below. Please try watching while keeping a straight face!  

My Favorite Song Right Now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XELFBYSG9tw

Show Me Follow Up in Google Docs

The class has been using the Chrome Books every week.   They are getting used to fonts, spacing, shift keys, spell check, deleting, using the tool bar, sharing documents and building stamina.  My students seem to enjoy their Chrome Book time.

These are some student Show Me writing examples that they transferred from their rough drafts into Google Docs. I posted some other Show Me rough drafts a few days ago.

Do you use Show Me writing in your class?  I'd like to hear how you teach descriptive writing.

Show Me Writing

I was introduced to Show Me writing several years ago and I have been hooked ever since that day. Who was the clever person to come up with this idea?  I use Show Me writing in my class every year.

Show Me writing is a way to incorporate the five senses into writing.   We add feeling/emotion as well.  The students start with descriptive sentences and gradually move onto paragraphs.

The anchor chart shows what should be added into the writing.  Students do not have to use everything from the chart.  They have the option to pick and choose which concepts will be used in their writing such as hooks, figurative language, detail and that "showing" feeling.

New skills are added to the anchor chart as concepts are taught.

Show Me Writing Anchor Chart

Today, I am going to share some rough drafts of their writing.

I will share student examples written in Google Docs in my next post.

Student A

Student B

Student C 

Student D- Part 1

Student D- Part 2

If you have made it to the bottom of this post, I thank you!  Here is a freebie for you!

Blog Name Change

I changed the name of my blog for once and for all. It is now called Killeen Up Your Writing. I have to give credit to a co-worker who came up with the clever name. I loved it and it stuck. All blog posts will be under this name from this point forward.

I can't wait to hear what's going on in your classrooms!

We are back from Boston and had an amazing time with family and friends.  When you have a large family, there is always so much to do.  I can't thank my family enough for being so good to us. Ciaran had the time of his life.

There were many highlights to the trip.  We walked around Faneuil Hall and got to take in the atmosphere.  My wife and son took public Transit (aka the T) for the first time.  He was over the moon and didn't want to get off the train.

New Year's was celebrated in Meredith, New Hampshire with several family members.  A horse and carriage ride was a special treat for the kids.  I think it was about 20 degrees but that didn't stop us from having fun.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Sean