Usually, the second round of stories is more visually pleasing. After writing stories about the students lives, we begin the food and grocery- shopping unit. I teach the students how to make tables and they use the tables to make a food price chart. Each student goes to the supermarket of his or her choice and carries a list of food chosen by the class. Prices for each item are noted and brought back to class.
Students then make a chart listing the food item and the price.
This is given to other students and a price comparison chart is developed. Students feel great pride when they print out their tables and charts. Usually, they want to do verb conjugations this way as well. It is around this time that my classroom usually becomes a work in progress. Because of open enrollment, all students are at different stages.