Ideas+and+Content

=Teaching the Ideas and Content Trait=
 * ==Lesson Plans==
 * ===**Finding the right topic**===
 * ====Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas====
 * What's so special? Lesson Plan
 * Full lesson plan on finding an idea to write about from everyday experiences
 * Source: __The 6 + 1 Writing Traits: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades__ by Ruth Culham (p. 85-88)
 * Uses __Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge__ by Mem Fox for a mentor text (Great small moment writing example)
 * Fun with Funnels Activity
 * Great concrete method of visualizing narrowing a topic down to a small moment or "slice of life."
 * Source: __The 6 + 1 Writing Traits: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades__ by Ruth Culham (p. 88)
 * Narrow it Down Activity
 * Simple participatory activity on narrowing down broad topics / ideas to more manageable small moments or "slices of life"
 * Source: __The 6 + 1 Writing Traits: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades__ by Ruth Culham (p. 89)
 * ===Selecting Interesting, Relevant Details===
 * ===Making the Content Clear===
 * ==Resources==
 * ===Ideas Song===
 * __The 6 + 1 Writing Traits: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades__ by Ruth Culham (p. 83)
 * Sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat":

Write, write, write your thoughts. Make your ideas clear. Tell the reader what you know And what you hold most dear.


 * ===Tips for students working on ideas===
 * Pick an idea that interests you.
 * Of all the ideas you have, name the main one.
 * Keep your idea in focus; don't add ideas that aren't related.
 * Add details that only you could write.
 * Answer questions you think your reader may have.
 * Write about what you know or want to know.
 * __The 6 + 1 Writing Traits: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades__ by Ruth Culham (p. 85)

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