Teacher Descriptions of LA (writing/speaking)

Mz. MP:
Shared Writing 2 times a week, journal writing 2-3 times a week.
Children have daily classrooms discussions after calendar and story time

Ms. AG.
Every Monday begins with journal writing about the weekend. Start off with two sentences at the beginning of the year and end up with seven towards the end. Throughout the week there is usually one big piece, but there is daily journaling in other subjects.
(Informal interview about other writing: For instance, if they are studying penguins, students may be assigned to write "5 facts about penguins" on cute pattern, Or to write a "creative" story about a Penguin in a new home.)

Shared Writing (informal interview) - One student's story is written on a chart. The other students write it in their journals what the other child has written only the focus is on correcting spelling of common words. Ms. G said she really wanted the kids to know how to spell those common words.

Opportunities to talk: partner sharing, opinions about stories, Lessons begin with teacher initiated questions, and end with "our" thoughts about what is learned.

Ms. GP

Journal writing 2x a week. (teachers do slight variations of basically the same routines - (confirmed by teachers themselves in informal interviews and from journal samples, observed classroom and hall displays.)

Student talk opportunities are at calendar time, and discussions of stories in the basal.