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You are here: Home / literacy / Innovations Day 1: Fortunately
literacy, writing

Innovations Day 1: Fortunately

April 10, 2012

Today is the first day of my five-day series on using innovations in your classroom during writing workshop. For today’s post, I’m highlighting Fortunately by Remy Charlip. 

This is a great book to use for innovations because its pattern is very easy to follow. It’s written in see-saw format, alternating pages of good and bad events. For example, the main character Charlie is FORTUNATELY invited to a birthday party, but UNFORTUNATELY the birthday party is really far away.  FORTUNATELY he us able to take an airplane, UNFORTUNATELY that doesn’t turn out as planned. You get the point, I’m sure. =)


After reading this book at the rocking chair to a fit of giggles and guesses as to what will happen next, students head back to their desks to write their own version of this funny picture book. They can write about any topic of their choice, but must follow the fortunately/unfortunately pattern.


To make these books even more fun, I use a mini accordion foldable. Our books have seven panels so that they’ll always end on a positive event. I take a sheet of computer paper and cut it in half hot-dog style (so it’s long and skinny). Then you tape those pages together to make a super long and skinny piece of paper. Fold that paper accordion fan style every 2.5 inches and you’ll have a cute little book that students can’t wait to fill up with their very own innovation stories.


 

Be sure to check back for Day 2 of my Innovation Series. Don’t forget we’re working our way toward a $25 Amazon gift card giveaway for one randomly chosen follower if my blog reaches 250 followers by the end of this series on Sunday! In the meantime if you decide to purchase this book for your classroom, I’d love it if you used my link.

 

innovations writing minilessons
by Christi Fultz 

About Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

View all posts by Christi Fultz

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previous post: Innovation Kickoff and Giveaway Details
next post: Innovations Day 2: The Important Book

Comments

  1. Valerie says: April 10, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    You’ve been tagged! Come see what it’s all about :o)

    ✿Valerie
    All Students Can SHINE

  2. 3rd Grade Thoughts says: April 10, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    This is the BEST book to use with kids, especially at the beginning of the year! It's part of our Being a Writer curriculum, but I love your idea of the accordion file 🙂 I always love how it brings my reluctant boy writers in immediately. Even later in the year, during free choice writing, I still see them going back to these pieces and adding to them.

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: April 11, 2012 at 1:21 am

      I agree about the boys. Anything that hooks them is golden in my book! =)

  3. Lori Rosenberg says: April 10, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    I love this book, too! Thanks for sharing your innovation! I look forward to seeing all of them!

    Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: April 11, 2012 at 1:21 am

      Thank you!

  4. Maria says: April 11, 2012 at 1:32 am

    Hi Christi! I found your blog on TBTS. Love your writing unit. It makes me want to teach a higher level than Kindergarten (which is a feeling I don't often have!)
    I'm just getting started with my own blog and I would love for you to visit!
    Kinder-Craze

  5. A Modern Teacher says: April 11, 2012 at 5:37 am

    Thanks for sharing Christi! This is a great idea. Can't wait to read all of them this week! And I just shouted it out on facebook 🙂

    ~April from A Modern Teacher.com

    • Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: April 11, 2012 at 8:47 pm

      Thank you!

  6. Confessions of a Teaching Junkie says: April 14, 2012 at 12:48 am

    Christie,
    Love this too (and I have the book!)
    Teresa
    Confessions of a Teaching Junkie
    Find me on Facebook!

  7. Elizabeth says: April 14, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Just getting a chance to sit down and watch all 5 of these 🙂

    Great job! This foldable is wonderful. I love its use with a see-saw pattern book like this one.

    Thanks!

    Elizabeth

    Fun in Room 4B

  8. Katie Smith says: September 16, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    I can't get any of the videos on your innovations posts to work. Any suggestions? I am LOVING all of your ideas.

    Thanks,
    Ms. Smith
    http://adventuresofmssmith.blogspot.com

  9. Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says: September 16, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    I just checked them and they seem to be working. You might want to try watching them directly on YouTube instead of through Blogger. Here's the direct link: http://www.youtube.com/user/MsFultzsCorner

Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

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As an experienced third grade teacher with a Masters in Elementary Education and K-12 reading license, I know educational resources need to be both inviting and engaging to capture students' interests. I am passionate about creating user-friendly resources to help all students learn while saving valuable prep for teachers. Read More…

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Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a h Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a highlight bubble and website especially for creative entrepreneurs, TPT sellers, and tutors with tips to monetize and grow online! Visit the blog for TONS of free guides for beginners AND experienced small businesses. My personal favorite topic is SEO. 😎 design.christifultz.com
DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this under stairs playroom and it turned out so sweet! https://completelychristi.com/2022/03/under-stair-playhouse-makeover.html

#louisvilleky #momsoflouisville #louisvillemoms #louisvillemomcollective #kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #diyhomeprojects #diyhome #homedesigninspiration #homeinspo #homemakeover #diyinspo #makehomeyours #kidroomideas #childsroom #childsroomdecor #childroomdesign #kidsroom #kidsroommakeover #kidsroominspiration #kidsroomdesign
Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and yo Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and you switch into vacation mode. Thanks for another great week, Lake Erie. We’ll be back.
Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the days with my kids this little will become memories. Even in the exhausting moments, I am thankful to be their mama.
Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite stop when we’re at Lake Erie.
Time Passes // I shared a memory yesterday from th Time Passes // I shared a memory yesterday from the beginning of Ryan’s residency and said time passes no matter how you spend it. There were a lot of challenges in this journey, but there were a lot of sweet moments too.
Let Them // My sink is full of dirty dishes and th Let Them // My sink is full of dirty dishes and there are chocolate fingerprints all over the counter, but they are happy and proud of their brownie Death Stars from Carter’s Star Wars cookbook. I’ll take it.
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