The Staircase Effect

Wow! I'm celebrating an amazing first week of school with my fifth and sixth grade writers! I just couldn't believe how much we accomplished in our four days together (which was really, when you break it down, only 180 minutes). In just 180 minutes, my incredible students were able to read and dissect two mentor texts AND try out their noticings in their own writing. They also got some practice with PQS (Praise, Question, Suggest) with their new Writing Partners and did some whole group sharing from the Author's Chair. In 180 minutes! These kids are giving me happiness overload.

My absolute favorite example is from Chris. He noticed that Sandra Cisneros, in her beautifully written piece, Eleven, used the phrase "...days, weeks, and even months...". Chris really liked that phrase and decided to call the technique "The Staircase Effect" because, in his words, "It goes up and up." He tried it out in his own story about Zombies and Skeletons and then shared it with the class. Here is a transcript of his story:

Skeleton's Point of View: I come from the Caribbean and my name is Blackbeard. Who are you? And just so you know, I got sent an invitation to a Lean Cuisine Restaurant in the dungeon. It is basically impossible to get in. It takes days, weeks, months, even years to get in, and I got sent a secret invitation.

Chris' Original Draft

To celebrate, The Staircase Effect will get its very own anchor chart on our wall. Hooray!