Luck of the Irish

The long composition MCAS is just around the corner. This means one thing, CRUNCH TIME! I feel like I'm suddenly discovering all these last minute tips and strategies that I'm trying to squeeze in before next Tuesday. Everybody's stress level is up.  We work hard all year to get the kids writing well organized, descriptive essays using the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing. It all comes down to this! I feel like it's the week before the Superbowl. Yikes!!

I wanted to do a St. Patrick's Day writing prompt with the kids before beginning the MCAS blitz.

                                          So, we read this.

It's an adorable story about the mischief three leprechauns get into on the way to their pot of gold. 

Then I gave them this writing prompt to practice writing a personal narrative.

To get the element of MCAS in there, I had them write completely on their own. They had to revise and edit their first draft without my help.  "What?! We have to check this on our own?!!" It was like I asked them to actually find a leprechaun. Most of them accepted the challenge and did well. 

This is how I modeled what the final copy should look like. 

And, this is how one came out. 

Hopefully the kids eat their Lucky Charms next Tuesday!