Presentation by Stacie Noisey Raise the Roof: Inspiring Great Writing Instruction March 2, 2011

Into my notebook goes anything that is interesting enough to stop me in my tracks--the slump of a pair of shoulders in a crowd, a newspaper entry, a recipe, "chewy" words like ragamuffin or Maurice... For me, it all begins with a notebook: it is the well I dip into for that first clear, cool drink. Rita Dove

Enduring Understandings The act of modeling sends powerful messages about a teacher’s beliefs and practices. Writing takes many forms. Words shape and reflect our values, beliefs, and thoughts.

Essential Questions How does modeling the writing process help students as writers? What compels you to write?

Today’s Targets Participants will be able to: Help students live as writers Create a writer’s notebook Explore strategies to use with students Share ideas and writing with others

Ties to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing Production and Distribution of Writing 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. ALL K-5 strand 5 standards begin with the stem: With guidance and support from adults…

My Notebook Habits Always have a notebook handy Make a habit of writing Make it yours Don’t be a perfectionist

(c) Fisher & Frey, 2006 TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY Focus Lesson Guided Instruction “I do it” “We do it” “You do it together” Collaborative Independent “You do it alone” A Structure for Instruction that Works

The Importance of Modeling Writing instruction has to come during the writing process, not after. Show students your process Make your thinking visible You don’t need to be perfect (Kittle, 2008) 9

Getting Started Size Portability Storage Personalization Refill/replacements Organization

Let students take ownership Create collage covers Decorate Choose tabs Identify sections Writing utensils

Collage Covers

What’s inside? Ideas Lists Daily writing Collections Reflections Notes Revision strategies

Daily Writing

Notes on process, genre, and craft

Glue in notes and ideas

What’s not included? Entire drafts Editing Final copies

Let’s write! Lists Favorite words Favorite things Best/worst/most exciting/scariest Questions- Wonder/ponder Collections- Ideas/books/music Seeds Turn and talk- What did you include?

Books to Read, Ideas to Write

Daily Writing Develop expectations/set goals Teachers will: Provide time to write Teach strategies and daily mini-lessons Write daily and share his or her notebook Teach rules of spelling and grammar to enhance writing Buckner, 2005

Daily Writing Develop expectations/set goals Students will: Write daily Find topics Try strategies from mini-lessons Respect the notebook Practice what they know Buckner, 2005

Let’s write! Choose a topic from your ideas section and write for 10 minutes.

Writing Strategies Seven Stories Mind Pictures Writing from reading Expanded Moments Overheard Conversations Words of Advice Memories

Let’s Write! Choose a strategy to try You have 10 minutes to draft

Notes on process, genre, and craft Note taking during mini-lessons Glue-in entries Samples and examples Word to the wise: Less is more.

Improving your ideas Use the writer’s notebook to hone your craft Look for patterns Practice revision strategies Expand topics Write from another point of view Find “hidden gems” Lift lines

Transformations “Digging out the Crystals” Look through the writing you have added to your notebook. Choose one revision strategy to try Find one line to lift Revise for strong verbs Highlight a “hidden gem”

Enduring Understandings The act of modeling sends powerful messages about a teacher’s beliefs and practices. Writing takes many forms. Words shape and reflect our values, beliefs, and thoughts.

Essential Questions How does modeling the writing process help students as writers? What compels you to write?

3-2-1 Summarizer 3 Ideas you have learned 2 Strategies you can use in your classroom 1 Lingering question

Resources Allen, J. (2006). Becoming a Literacy Leader. Stenhouse, ME. Bomer, K. (2010). Hidden Gems: Naming and Teaching from the Brilliance in Every Student's Writing. Heinemann, NH. Buckner, A. (2005). Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer’s Notebook. Stenhouse, ME. Fisher,D. & Frey, N. (2007). Scaffolded Writing Instruction: Teaching with a gradual-release framework. New York: Scholastic. Fletcher, R. (1996). Breathing In, Breathing Out. Heinemann, NH. Fletcher, R. (1996). A Writer’s Notebook. Harper Trophy, NY.