From lists to graphics- creating writing territories

At the beginning of the year, I always want my students to make a list of of writing territories (ideas that they can keep in their writing notebook for when they are stuck and have nothing to write about).

This year I am going to throw magazines at them and have them cut out words, pictures, write and draw their own words, pictures and symbols to create a collage of things they like, believe in, hate, love, experiences they have had, favorites, memories etc… 

I will have them store this in their writing folders so that they can pull it out when they don’t know what to write about.

How do you have your students share writing territories? 

 

A motivating way for students to read, remember and recommend!!

I thought of a great way to get kids to remember what they read and get ideas for their next book: Shelfari! This  is a place for readers to keep track of the books they’ve read, books they want to read, write book reviews, get book recommendations and participate in group discussions. 

I think this will help my students to read various genres (since I require them to in the 30 book challenge I do) and create exposure and motivation for reading books they normally may not read. After students have read a book, they will log in to their virtual bookshelf, where they can rate their book, write a review and create tags to track the book. Then Shalfari gives recommendations of other books the student may enjoy. Students can also check out their friend’s “shelf” and see what they are reading. 

I am going to try this, this year to see how it goes. If you aren’t ready to have all your students create their own shelf, you can create your own shelf, rate and review books that you think your students may enjoy. Although I don’t think it will be as motivating as having their own shelf and checking out their friends!! Has anyone else tried something like this out with students? 

Websites to get Kids Writing!

Your Child’s Writing Life: How to Inspire Confidence, Creativity and Skill at Every Age: by Pam Allyn 

Here is part two of my thoughts, see the last post, for my initial thoughts about why teachers and parents should get this book!

This is starred in my copy that I need to keep in mind as I teach writing:

Also found in Your Child’s Writing Life by Pam Allyn was a list of  some amazing websites that foster real and new audiences for writing (aren’t we all looking for authentic publishing opportunities?)

Has anyone used any of these sites in your classroom, and wants to share ?

Check them out, and may they inspire you to get your student’s writing!!  

Your Child’s Writing Life: How to Inspire Confidence, Creativity and Skill at Every Age!

Your Child’s Writing Life: How to Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Skill at Every Age by Pam Allyn is a book that I came across that I started flipping through, and then realized this would be a good book for me to have. Although I don’t have any biological children of my own, I do have hundred every school year that I consider my own!

The book is useful for parents with kids or teachers. It focuses mostly on children from birth to 12 and how we can enhance their writing life and experiences.

Something that struck me from the beginning of the book that immediately struck me was we, as teachers, are looking to create life long readers in our classroom. Do we also think about and want to create life long writers in our classroom?

After reading this book my goal for this upcoming school year is to create life long readers and writers.

Here are some of the highlights from the book that I jotted down as I read it:

• Writing leads to guaranteed improvement in academic achievement.
• “ Writing fosters a child’s emotional growth. Writing is a way to pay better attention to our lives and to build the confidence to trust our opinions and voices.”  Middle school students struggle so much with confidence and voicing their opinions. I have seen in the past that when students share their writing, they are able to voice their feelings, opinions and stories. It helps them to gain confidence in themselves when others respond positively to their writing.
• The book also has a list of Twenty Great books to inspire writing- if nothing else, these titles make it worth it to get the book- add these to your classroom library!
• Another good tip was that older children may be hesitant to share their writing, so sharing writing from other people (yourself, real authors, past students) may help your student to feel more confident in their writing.

These are just a few notes I jotted down, in a few days, I will add other thoughts I had after reading this book!