If you are a writing teacher, I highly encourage you to keep a writer’s notebook. Because I’m not much of a journal writer, keeping a writer’s notebook used to intimidate me, and it seemed like “one more thing” to put on my to-do list. Then a few summers ago, I participated in the Oakland Writing …
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Writer's Notebooks
It Seems to Work for Patricia Polacco
In a recent post I wrote about the importance of allowing students to choose their writing topics. Whenever I make that statement, I am always prepared to hear the “Yes, but…” responses. “Yes, choice seems important, but don’t I have to teach my students how to write for a prompt?” “Yes, but my students have to be …
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Mining Memories
Writing Trait/Strategy:Where authors get ideas; ideas trait Mentor Text Suggestions:Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem FoxMemory String by Eve BuntingThe Memory Box by Mary BahrPictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae PerkinsLetters to the Lake by Susan SwansonNight Tree by Eve BuntingWhen I Was Little by Jamie Lee Curtis Description:Some of the best topics come …
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Mapping for Ideas
Writing Trait/Strategy:Generating Ideas; prewriting strategies; techniques authors use to generate writing topics Mentor Text Suggestions:My Map Book by Sara FanelliMarshfield Dreams by Ralph FletcherAs the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps by Gail HartmanThe Once Upon a Time Map Book by B.B. HennessyMy Heart is a Magic House by Julie Jacobs (heart map) Description:I …
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Write About What You Know
Writing Trait/Strategy:Ideas Trait; Where authors get ideas Mentor Text Suggestions:Arthur Writes a Story by Marc BrownTreasures of the Heart by Alice Ann Miller Description:Some students are always looking for the perfect topic to write a wonderful and exciting story. They need to be reminded that the best stories come from their own personal experiences. Read …
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