Growing Great Writers
Building Student Capacity
Luz Montanez, Second Grade Teacher
Greens Acres Elementary School
Cobb County School District
Supporting Documents
• Opinion Writing Lesson Plan
• Classroom Anchor Charts
Grade Level and Content Area
English Language Arts
Second Grade
Standards Addressed
English Language Arts Georgia Standards of Excellence (ELAGSE)
ELAGSE2W1; ELAGSE2W7; ELAGSE2W8; ELAGSE2SL2; ELAGSE2SL6; ELAGSESL1; ELAGSE2L1a, f, g; ELAGSE2L2
Overview
This extraordinary 2nd Grade, ESOL teacher begins each class with the reminder to “show me college ready!” Setting expectations for learning begins with students unpacking the standard for writing an opinion piece and preparing their own rubric. Students are divided into interest groups in order to research and write their essays. Groups of students actively participate in discussions during conferences in large and small groups, with their teacher, and in peer and self-assessment practice sessions. Moreover, students participate in a writing seminar to demonstrate how to support an opinion using text evidence. These students produce amazing pieces of writing because they are invested in being college ready at this early age!
Video Segments
To save, right-click video link, then select 'Save target as' or 'Save link as'
• Building the Rubric
• Seminar: Self Assessment
• Scoring Student Work: Giving Commentary
• Peer Assessment
About the Teacher
Luz Angelica Montañez was a classroom teacher at Green Acres Elementary for seven years when this video was filmed. This year she is serving as an Academic Coach for Norton Park Elementary. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Florida International University and her Masters of Education in Early Childhood from Kennesaw State University. Luz started her teaching career at Southside Elementary Museum Magnet School in Miami, Florida where she was trained by the Smithsonian Museums. Her priority is to let children know that they are deeply loved in her class. Her teaching advice is to provide children opportunities to think about the world around them through interdisciplinary experiences. When students make connections, they can be successful in all subject areas. Love, world connections, and flexible grouping is the key to the success of her children.
<- Back to Georgia Classrooms Live! Welcome Page