Strategy of the Week

So, I know that it has been awhile since I have posted my weekly "Strategy of the Week" and for that I apologize. Our ESOL program at school has started a new after school program two days a week, and I am busy and exhausted all at once! I'm sure all the teachers out there can relate! So, without further delay, here is your strategy!

Strategy-

WritiNG A CINQUAIN

I like to use this strategy to help students synthesize what they’ve learned or read about a topic. This particular strategy can be used with a content topic (cells) a biographical character (Madame Curie) or a story character (Snow White).

A cinquain is a five-line poem describing a noun or subject. Line 1: Subject. Line 2: two adjectives that describe the subject. Line 3: Three –ing verbs (present progressive) that describe the subject. Line 4: One sentence that describes or tells about the subject. Line 5: Another word that describes the subject. Example:

Snow White

Pale, Lonely

Running, Hiding, Crying

Snow White is the fairest in the land.

Beautiful.

Another Example:

Water Cycle

Cool, Wet

Evaporating, Condensing, Precipitating

The cycle never ends.

Circle of Water

I have included a copy of a FREE cinquain organizer that you may give out to students to help them write. After having them use the organizer, I like to have them create a final draft on printer paper and decorate it.

I have used this strategy with students as young as grade 3 and with students as old as grade 8.

Switching gears for a moment, I'm happy to announce that I have finally finished compiling my novel study unit on Barbara Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and it is now available in my TpT store. Click the picture below to find out more or to purchase!