In this class, students will learn a writing strategy called a "Heart Map." We will be engaging in discussion, drawing, labeling, and writing. Students will learn the term "writer's block" and learn what to do when they experience it. We will be discussing things we love and things that are very special to us. I will walk students through how to map out their heart on a piece of paper and draw pictures of the things that they love inside the heart. Whenever your child is feeling discouraged with writing, they can refer back to their heart map and get an idea of what they might write about. I encourage your child to glue or hang this heart map up in a special place in your home so that they can refer back to it anytime! After we finish our heart maps, I will encourage students to pick one of their ideas in their heart map and write 1-4 sentences about it. I will scaffold for learners if needed and provide sentence starters.  Students will be allowed to share one thing they draw on their heart map with the group, if they feel comfortable.  Students should have knowledge of letter sounds and some conventions of writing (left to right). We will be using some inventive spelling strategies throughout class and I will encourage your child to write the sounds they hear! I hope to awaken the inner writer in your child and help any reluctant writers. 

Class Introduction 5 min
Vocabulary/Introduce Heart Map Strategy 10 min
Start Heart Map/Write  10 min
Share Time (if students are comfortable) 10 min