Building a Love of Writing Jen Hoer, Katey Jirsa, Dawn Peake & Jen Pilarski Fall 2016

Why create a love of writing? So often we want to delve into the mechanics of writing. We need to step back and let students discover a love of writing and their own voice. Students need to experience writing without parameters or permanence. These resources embrace and encourage students’ creativity as they begin to see themselves as writers. Over time, these pieces become a vehicle for coaching, revision, and publishing. They can be developed at anytime in the year, revisited when appropriate, and aligned to curriculum. P

Heart Map Students brainstorm a list of things that they love. This can be used for future free writes In my Shoes Students brainstorm places they have walk (been). I Know… Students brainstorm topics that they know a lot about. Brainstorming Students brainstorm possible topics for later writing projects. Using creative formats helps build enthusiasm and creativity. Feelings Web Describe emotions and the event that caused that emotion. Bucket List Students brainstorm a list of what they hope to do or see in their life or school year. J

Picture Glossary Students create a glossary of words based on a topic. The topics could be broad or very narrow depending on the level of the students and intent of teacher. The students can work on it at home and add real photographs or can illustrate through drawings. This can help support students as they write with spelling words or developing ideas. P

Summary:  A young girl and her teacher correspond about a whale that she found in her pond. How to use: Students learn about the parts of a letter, write letters to online scientist-WhaleNet:Ask a Scientist.  Summary:  Alex desperately wants an iguana.  Alex writes letters to his mom to convince her to let him have an iguana.  How to use:  Students will discover how critical word choice is when trying to convince others.  Summary:  Alex has been forced to share a room with his little brother Ethan.  Alex writes letters to Mom and Dad to try to persuade them to give him his own room. How to use:  Students can think of something that they want and try to convince their audience.  Summary:  Ralph can't seem to think of a story to write.  All of his classmates  are writing stories, but not Ralph.  Suddenly, Ralph explores his own imagination and begins writing.  How to use:  Students can learn about brainstorming and creating interest webs. Summary: Sam isn't just any mouse.  He's an author living in a library. Sam wants nothing more than for others to enjoy his books. He begins putting his books all over the library and they become an instant hit!   How to use:  Students can explore interest based topics and write their own mini books. Mentor Texts H

Writing Ideas to Spark Creativity Wordless Books & Images Can spark emotions, memories, ideas, connections, and questions that can be interpreted in limitless ways by students. When students share these ideas they broaden their own perspective by hearing what others’ interpretations are. Mood Music or Sounds Set the tone and emotion for students. It can help to calm and focus students in a way that limits distractions and can connect more deeply their writing. Giving Voice to Objects or Animals Humanizing inanimate objects or animals gets kids to develop empathy and encourages thinking beyond their own personal point of view. Artistic Creations Given a prompt student create something with a material, such as playdoh, popsicle sticks, and develop a story surrounding it. J

Writing Ideas to Spark Creativity Writing an Ending Read a story to the class but stop before reaching the conclusion. Have the students write an ending then compare to the true ending of the story. Build a Story from One Given Story Element Students are given one story element (character, setting, etc.).  The students then build a story around the given element as they add in the rest of the elements.  The writing could be done individually, with a partner or a small group. Stuffed Animal Surprise  Pull random stuffed animals from a basket as the protagonist, antagonist, and a character that contributes to the obstacle or problem. Then when students share they can see all the different stories that develop from one starting point. H

Writing Ideas to Spark Creativity Journaling Students pass a journal around to the class.  They can either start their own journal entry independently or use a starter (question, scenario, etc). Students continue on writing in the journal about their own personal experiences or items they would like to share with the class.  Students can also journal about a problem they might be facing.  Peers can write back to them with any suggestions.   Write a New Beginning or Ending After reading a story together the students can re-write the beginning or ending of that story. In sharing their ideas the students can see and appreciate all the different ideas that are generated by their classmates. Time Capsule In the beginning of the year, pieces that students write can be placed in their "time capsule".  As they grow throughout the year, certain writing pieces selected by the students and teacher will be placed in the time capsul.  At the end of the year, students can look back and reflect on topics they wrote about, growth, and areas they still need to work on.  P

Resources Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers By: Steve Graham, What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education http://www.readingrockets.org/article/teaching-elementary-school-students-be- effective-writers Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say It Really Works! http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr144.shtml 25 Ways to Get Kids Writing    www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/25-ways-get-kids-writing Ten Ideas That Get Kids Writing-National Writing Project    www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/nwp/ten-ideas.html

Resources Lucy Calkins Reading Program Proves Success http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy- tu.researchport.umd.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/160465F85CB8FB48?p=AWNB The way of the workshop: eight writers and teachers on the culture of the classroom http://gateway.proquest.com.proxy- tu.researchport.umd.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88- 2003&xri:pqil:res_ver=0.2&res_id=xri:lion&rft_id=xri:lion:ft:criticism:R05282214:0& rft.accountid=14378