Demonstration Text #1: All About Ukes

Posted on by Writing to Learn, Learning to Write

There is power in creating demonstration texts with and for student writers.  First and foremost, it builds relationships. Kids love to know their teachers, and writing is a powerful way to share bits of who we are and what we love.  And then, of course, there is the opportunity for student writers to observe us as we work through the writing process. The other huge benefit of creating demonstration texts is for us, the teachers.  Actually DOING the work we are asking our students to do helps us to more deeply understand how this kind of writing works. It helps us see the challenges and the benefits of working through the writing process.

So….I am going to start to create a few demonstration texts for our second grade nonfiction unit where we are asking students to select a topic and then think about which nonfiction structure we might use to teach someone about our topic.

My topic: The ukulele (I’m learning to play the uke with some teacher friends.)

Today’s structure:  All About (This seems like a logical (and maybe easy) place to start.)

The Ukulele

Have you ever heard the word ukulele?  Isn’t it a cool word? Do you even know what it is?  A ukulele (sometimes called a uke) is a string instrument that is part of the guitar family.  It looks like a miniature guitar. It has the same shape as a guitar, and is often made of wood. One big difference is that the ukulele has four strings (not six, like a guitar).  

The History of the Ukulele

This instrument was invented in the 1800’s in Hawaii.  It was similar to an instrument from Portugal called a machete.  Portugese immigrants had moved to Hawaii and brought along these small guitar-like instruments.  The people of Hawaii then created their own instrument and called it the ukulele.  Are you still wondering about the word ukulele?  The name translates to something like jumping flea.  They may have named it that because of the way the players’ fingers move. 

Types of Ukuleles

The uke comes in four sizes:  soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Each one has a sightly different size and sound.

Playing the Ukulele

The uke is a cool instrument.  It’s pretty easy to play, and since it’s small you can bring it places.  It’s also fun if you have a group of friends who play the uke. Then you can hang out together and play some songs.  

Does the ukulele sound like the kind of instrument you might like to play? If so, grab that cute uke and a few friends, and let your fingers fly!   

 

Published by Writing to Learn, Learning to Write

12 thoughts on “Demonstration Text #1: All About Ukes”

  4. I like this idea a lot. This is simple enough that the second graders will feel like they can imitate it, but it has craft moves, like the echo in the ending, so they can learn about the kinds of things you think about as you write. I also like Susan’s idea (above) of taking this same topic and writing it like a how-to or a narrative.

  6. I think using our own teacher and student mentor texts is so much more powerful than the pre-written ones. I look forward to hearing how it goes. You can introduce it piece by piece as students are learning.

  7. “Kids love to know their teachers, and writing is a powerful way to share bits of who we are and what we love.” Writing together creates that community feel in the room. Are you writing in booklets like the kids? Just curious!?

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