October 12, 2012

SKETCHIN' OUT SPOOKY SENTENCES - FREEBIE

Despite all of the Columbus and fire safety chaos this week, we just had to find a little time to slip in some Halloween action.  With this said, I massaged that tighter than tight weekly schedule of ours and managed to find a sliver of time for Sketchin' Out Spooky Sentences.  I have been rollin' with this crazy idea for the past three years now and it's always a real crowd pleaser.  Did I peek your interest?  Well, let me utter a teacher's favorite phrase to help hook ya in just a wee bit more . . . it's free :)


JW Illustrations . . . you are my hero!
The kids totally dig this one because I actually let them draw FIRST . . . say what??  Yup, I bottle up tons of buy-in via the directed draw portion of this assignment up front.  Then, when my babes hit the sentence side of things, they always seem to work extra hard for me.  It's a win-win for sure.  

Here are the "deets" on this . . .  

First, I scour my bookshelves and stock up my writing center with as many Halloween or spooky/strange directed draw books that I can get my hands on. Ed Emberly has zillions of rockin' ones for this (see a few examples below).  You also can print off directed draws from the internet.  


Next, the kids get a worksheet template (grab this below) and use the books to help them draw out a spooky scene.  Once they finish, they write a detailed sentence to go with their sketch. 

CLICK HERE to download this freebie!
NOTE: Just in case you have children who do not celebrate Halloween in your class,
I have included a fall-themed template as well.  Oh yeah . . . Dolling has your back!

Finally, the kidlets color up their masterpieces with colored pencils.  This assignment always makes for a great "author's chair" as well.  **NOTE: this activity usually takes two centers to complete.

Here are a few pictures of my kiddos in action as well as the finished product.  I was so proud of my crew of firsties this year.  They used their spelling strategies and really took pride in their work.  From my highs to my lows, they all were all quite successful with this ditty.  Let's just say I am missing darn near all my buttons as they popped right off yesterday!!  






Alrighty folks, I gotta get my bum in gear - I still have a wet head and I gotta leave in 45 minutes.  Thanks so much for taking the time to visit.  I will be back soon my dear friends . . . very soon.  Oh, and don't forget to check out all of the other awesome freebies on TBA this weekend.  You're sure to find quite a few gems ;).



20 comments:

  1. I'm using this today for my son - he saw it print out and he's psyched! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. This is so cool . . . how'd it go?? Did he dig it?

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  2. This is awesome and looks great in your pictures! Thank you! I'm linked up and am your newest follower!
    Learning With Mrs. Leeby

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  3. Replies
    1. Jenny . . . how have you been girl? Thanks for taking the time to say hello!

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  4. Girl! I have those drawing books in my cart at Amazon! I have some boys who will think I'm a Rock Star for getting them!!! Thanks for sharing your fab freebie! Amazing, as always, my friend!!
    Laura
    Peace, Love, and First Grade

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    1. Perfect timing. Ed Emberly is such a treat and the kids absolutely eat his books up. Thanks for taking the time to pop in, friend!!!

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  5. Great activities! Thanks for sharing. They will be great in the coming weeks!
    http://commonthreads.typepad.com/whatihavelearned/

    What i have learned

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    1. So glad to hear it :) Anything "spooky" this time of year gets those kiddos workin' extra hard. Bwahahahahahahahaha!

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  6. You've been Boo-ed! Hop on over to http://www.missnelsonsgotthecamera.blogspot.com/2012/10/boo.html to check it out! Happy Fall!

    Miss Nelson’s Got the Camera!

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    Replies
    1. Word up Miss Nelson! Will check out this post and see if I can't fit it in this weekend. Thanks for thinking of me . . . BOO!

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  7. Replies
    1. Oh Barbara . . . I can always count on you for a little surprise visit :) Thanks girl!!

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  8. I am thinking I will take this a step further with my 3rd graders... I will print these on card stock and after we are done with the pic and sentences, I will cut them apart (separate the pic from the sentence) and put them in a center where the kids have to read the sentence and match it with the correct picture. This will hopefully encourage them to be very detailed in both their drawing and their sentences. Thanks so much!!

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  9. Thanks for the freebie! It's going to come in handy next week in writing center.
    ❤Tanya
    Ms. Solano's Kindergarten

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  10. We love this and it fits perfect with the writing we are doing this week! Thanks for the idea! We are new followers to you...come and follow us too! :)

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  11. There are the better provisions of ideas and students in this regard must need to regard about the effective details. intelligent speller and grammar checker

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