Tuesday, March 13, 2012

SOL #13 Seven Minute Essay (Quick Write)

Tonight I am using a technique I learned at the content literacy institute last month. It's called the seven minute essay, boxes and bullet format. I will complete my essay in seven minutes and complete a quick edit when the seven minutes are finished. It is very much like a quick-write. Timer set; ready, set ... go.

Learning to play the guitar in difficult. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because there are six strings and 13 frets along with using all four fingers. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because it takes strength and flexibility in your hand, fingers and wrist. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because you have to practice.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because there are six strings and 13 frets. That equals over 78 different combinations of fingers on strings in different frets. It's so hard to learn all the different cords and notes. Each cord has a minor and major. Some are sharps. Some notes are called suspended. Learning the guitar requires that you memorize tons of cords.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because it takes strength and flexibility in your hand, fingers and wrist. The hardest part is gaining strength in your fingers. The ring finger is the weakest finger and is used in almost every cord on the guitar. Also, stretching the fingers to reach the strings is painful. To learn to play the guitar you have to do hand exercises.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because you have to practice. Practice is boring. You have to give up other things you like to find time to practice. It takes hours and hours of practice and who knows if you'll ever be able to play like David Gilmore.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult... It's been 9 minutes and I wasn't able to finish the conclusion. This is a great exercise! It forces you to be concise.

3 comments:

  1. Would love to see your notes from this part of the institute. Would you be willing to share?

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    Replies
    1. Stacey,
      The institute was AMAZING! Colleen Cruz modeled the exercise in my large group section. I will dig out my notes and try to make some sense out of them for you. There was so much to take in that I found myself unable to write fast enough.

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  2. Wow! I'd love to try this with my sixth graders. Thanks for sharing.

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