Another Positive Experience

Last week (or was it the week before), I visited Paul Albert’s/Karen Wagner’s 6th grade class and introduced “three-in-three.” First, I shared with students a three-in-three I had written on demand in another class. I allowed this class to give me a topic and “summer” was chosen. I wrote for three minutes, trying my best to produce interesting, thoughtful three-word phrases. The students watched attentively and, I must admit, I felt the pressure to produce. When I was finished, I reviewed my list with students and then asked the students to select their own topic and create their own three-in-three. Some students thought of a topic immediately while others needed some help (photos on their writer’s notebook covers were a great source for topics). The students wrote furiously for three minutes and then eagerly shared their lists. I was so impressed with their ideas which included alliteration, onomatopoeia, vivid descriptors, repetition, and actions. The students seemed pleased with their entries. Another rewarding writer’s notebook experience! Thanks to Paul and Karen for sharing their class time and students with me.