Writing as other characters Point of View Writing Writing as other characters

Goals for my Students Understand different points of view To understand why authors use this technique Use this method of writing in their own work Develop writings in different genres individually and in groups

“I” Poems Students will start by writing an I poem about themselves to learn the process Students will write one about a partner Students will write one about a character from a book/story we have read

I am Rebecca I am a sister, a daughter, a friend I am a student I am a writer I have a vivid imagination I ride horses I express myself I hear my parents fighting I worry about my dad finding a job I hope I don’t have to move I feel good about my poem I am an artist I am smart I am

Your Turn Please pair up and write an I poem for your partner Put yourself in their shoes and try to think like they would Try to capture their personality Every sentence of the poem has to start with “I” This poem will be read by your partner as if they wrote it, so make it sound like they wrote it

“I” Poem Starters I am I see I hear I feel I worry I say I try I hope I think I understand I dream I will

“I” Poems Students will start by writing an I poem about themselves to learn the process Students will write one about a partner Students will write one about a character from a book/story we have read

Class Poem I am Edward Tulane I am a china doll I lived with Abilene and her family I went on a miraculous journey I met many people I lived with a fisherman and his wife I traveled with a hobo I failed as a scarecrow I fell in love with a sick little girl I miss Sarah Ruth I sometimes see her in the stars I was broken, but now I am fixed I was loved by many people I love many people I am getting a second chance

Students Role Play Choose a book with two conflicting characters Students will write as the character they are assigned Students will assume a role and talk to a partner Write a two voice poem with their partner (in character)

Flotsam by David Wiesner Write a paragraph about what your character is thinking and feeling. Put yourself in the character’s shoes and think like they would think. Take five minutes to write. online-stopwatch.exe

Example of Two Voice Poem Boy Hermit Crab What’s this? What’s that? Stop looking at me. This is really interesting. Where do you live? I’m gonna die! Your eyes are so small. That eye is huge! I wanna take you home I wanna go back home

Using Literature to Springboard Writing

Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg Read the story silently Fill out the point of view chart as you read Look at the pictures and put yourself in the ants perspective Think of other things that they may have seen in the kitchen How would they describe it? (You cannot use the real names of the objects) Jot down some descriptive language for these objects online-stopwatch.exe

Your Turn Writing as one of the ants (from the ant’s point of view) compose a letter to a character (in the book or not) explaining your adventure Use details from the book and/or expand your adventure and go where it takes you

Questions?