Transitional Words with Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco

Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco has always been a favorite of mine so I was so excited when I found a new way to use it! In the past I've used it for making connections and character traits. This year one of my FABULOUS coworkers suggested I use it as a mentor text for transitional words in writer's workshop. When I actually sat down to look at it from that lens I'm pretty sure a big bubble appeared above me that said DUH.

I intended to use it as a think aloud, but the kids totally caught on and were shouting out words and even some phrases as I was reading. (~Best teacher feeling ever when that actually happens~)We came back to the story the next day and looked at some of the transitional words. We couldn't possibly write them all so we picked some favorites and tried to get a good variety on our chart.

I hesitate to show this for fear of the world seeing my terrible chart paper handwriting... but for the sake of education here is the chart we came up with...

**Please disregard the FEEBLE attempt I made at decorating!! Ahhhh!!

Well, the point is this is a great mentor text for teaching transitional words. :)

Breaking down the CCSS narrative writing standard... one anchor chart at a time!

Here's a quick peek at my writing bulletin board! (Well, part of it.) I created a set of anchor charts aligned to the CCSS for grades K-3 in kiddo-friendly language. Although there is only one 2nd grade narrative writing standard for Common Core, it is jam packed! Each component of the standard is truly it's own mini-unit.
Last week I taught several lessons about focusing on a topic. Next week we'll be tackling transitions. I'll let you know how that goes, but for now here are my anchor charts! You can get them on my Tpt store by clicking either pic or the link below.

My anchor chart bundle on Tpt actually includes 11 anchor charts as well as the "Good Writers" lettering and cute writing kiddos (thanks Scrappin' Doodles!) for dressing up your bulletin board. (I only have up the things we've learned about so far.)
The anchor charts include focus, details, transitions, sequence, closure, dialogue, personal narrative, characters, setting, problem and resolution.

Click either pic above or the link below to check them out.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Good-Writers-CCSS-Narrative-Writing-Anchor-Charts-933904