1. We Did It! Crafting Author Celebrations That Honor Student Writing
Jacqueline Hodge
Excel Charter Academy
Lake Michigan Writing Project
Summer 2011

2. Today’s Agenda Beliefs and Rationale(10 min)
Celebration Ideas (10 min)
Things to Consider (15 min)
Celebrate! (35 min)
Reflection (5 min)

3. Write About It!
In what ways do you celebrate and honor your students’ writing?
Write for 3-5 minutes.
Turn and talk to a partner.
Three people share whole group.

4. Former Beliefs & Assumptions
Kids will write if they have an interesting prompt.
Kids will notice their own growth as writers.

5. Essential Question
Do writers write better when they know they have a real audience? Why? What is considered a real audience?
Think (1 min)
Write (3 min)
Pair (2 min)

6. Rationale
“…to transform the teaching of writing so that students not only become proficient writers but also joyful and confident writers whose unique voices engage their readers. Teaching, supporting, and expecting kids to do their best is where the fun begins.”
~Regie Routman
Writing Essentials by page 34

7. Rationale
“Writing is a social act. People write to affect the lives of others.”
~Donald Graves
A Fresh Look at Writing, page 132.

8. Rationale
“Students need opportunities for their writing to go forward and go public—to reach audiences outside the classroom and the school—so that they can then begin to see how their words truly affect the feelings, beliefs, and choices of other people…”
~Ann Marie Corgill
Of Primary Importance: What’s Essential in Teaching Young Writers, page 23.

9. Rationale
“[Children] also deserve opportunities to write for someone—for readers who will respond to what they have written…Otherwise how will young writers learn that writing well involves aiming to create an effect?” ~Lucy Calkins
A Guide to the Writing Workshop, page 9.

10. Rationale Then… Now… Six Traits workbook Writing prompts MEAP practice
Writing for Teacher only
Mild interest
Lucy Calkins & writing workshop model
Celebrations after every unit
Writing for the Community (parents, teachers, students)
Even the 3rd graders talk about the 4th grade celebrations 
MEAP: Who are interested adults? Why are they interested…they don’t know us!

11. Celebration Ideas Second Grade Sharing Coffee Shop
Essays in Small Groups
Pajama Party
Red Carpet Celebration
Wild West
Hawaiian Luau
Bedtime Stories
Explain.

12. Other Ways to Celebrate
Sharing a student’s writing during a lesson
Circling Up
End of the Year Awards/Certificates
Writing Books
Writing Reflections
Share artifacts

13. Things to Consider Purpose Audience Time Constraints/Attention Span
Budget/Supplies/Food/Décor
Rehearsing for the Celebration
Keep a particular unit in mind as we go through these considerations. How would you make this work in your classroom?

14. Purpose
What is the genre of the piece of writing? (narrative, essay, poetry, etc.)
What mood do you wish to establish?
At what time in the school year is the celebration occurring?
Assessment

15. Audience Who will attend the celebration?
Parents?
Students from other classes?
Other teachers?
Consider content of student writing and student emotional needs. Are students willing to share their written thoughts publicly?

16. Time Constraints What is the attention span of your students?
Will everyone hear everyone else’s piece?
How will you maintain the energy level throughout the celebration?

17. Supplies and Budget
What materials will you need to pull off the celebration?
Special Publishing Paper
Food
Decorations
Microphone
Author Chair
Who is going to pay for the food, decorations, etc?
When will you set everything up?
Will you need help? How much? Who?

18. Rehearsal
Give time for students to practice reading their pieces aloud to each other. This enables them to troubleshoot before the celebration.

19. Any Questions?
Look at artifacts.

20. Celebrate!! Partner Up: High Five It
Rehearsal: Read your writing to your partner. Fill out intro sheet.
Food and Share: Keep your writing at your desk, grab a plate, fork, brownie, and glass.

21. Student Response
Madison: I loved the Red Carpet Author’s Celebration. I think everyone loved it because even the boys dressed up!
Athena: I like our Author Celebration because people can listen to our stories.
Aiden: I like it when the parents come in, and when we have food and drinks.
Christian: I loved all the celebrations, but my favorite was the last one. We got to dress up and drink kid champagne.

22. Reflection
In what ways can you incorporate celebration into your classroom? How would you do that?
How can you create a greater sense of audience in your classroom?

23. Bibliography
Calkins, Lucy A Guide to the Writing Workshop, Grades 3-5. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Corgill, Ann Marie Of Primary Importance: What’s Essential in Teaching Young Writers. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.
Graves, Donald A Fresh Look at Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Routman, Regie Writing Essentials: Raising Expectations and Results While Simplifying Teaching. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.