The second writing skill involves working with selected vocabulary and writing meaningful sentences. The model of this writing strategy comes from (CIRC) Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
A meaningful sentence tells the reader something about the meaning of a key word. If the sentence makes sense when you substitute other words, then the sentence is NOT a meaningful sentence.
The following is not a meaningful sentence: The dog is old. The word old could be replaced by other words such as: thin, hungry, mean, young, large, or tiny to name a few possible substitutions. Meaningful sentences are more complex. Super meaningful sentences create a vivid mind picture for the reader.
In the student samples below, notice how the simple sentence, "The ____ is old." has developed into a more complex meaningful sentence:
Student Samples:
The worn-out old basketball player retired because his achy bones could no longer take the stress from playing the game. The old bird, with stiff wings, could no longer fly for long distance as she did when she was younger. The old dog is not as energetic as he used to be because his arthritic bones ache.
Book of the Month
Oh, the Places He Went
By Maryann N. Weidt
Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, gave pleasure with simple words, whacky illustrations, and flights of imagination that entrance children of all ages. He invented magical characters such as the Grinch, Cat in the Hat, Horton, Sneetches, and the Lorax that delighted children Through his use of rhyming text and illustrations of strange creatures living in
fantastic worlds, Dr. Seuss found his way into the hearts of people.
Oh, the Places He Went is an informational overview of Theodor Geisel's life and work.. Biographer and author Maryann Weidt tells the story of how he blossomed from discouraged artist and writer to successful creator of some of the most beloved children's books of all time.
Dr. Seuss's achievements, trials, and tribulations are highlighted in this non-fiction text. The many rejections he received from publishers; the death of his first wife; and his battle with cancer are some of his challenges. Shortly before his death, he was asked if he had any words of wisdom to leave the world. "Whenever things go a bit sour in a job I'm doing, I always tell myself: You can do better than this."
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