Based on information from:

Notebook Know-How

By Aimee Buckner

September 12, 2008

Ideas for Writing in a Writer’s NotebookIdeas for Writing in a Writer’s NotebookWNBWNB

What is a What is a Writer’sWriter’s Notebook Notebook??

A writer’s notebook is a writing space where students can save their ideas

and words…in the form of a memory, a reflection, a list, a sketch, or a

rambling of thoughts.

What a notebook is NOT!

Just a diary or a journal where students chronicle events.

Should students personalize Should students personalize the notebook?the notebook?

Absolutely!

It is an important step in make the notebook valuable to them.

What it looks like!

What’s In?What’s In?Daily Entries

Lists

Strategies

Revision tips for Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency

Editing tips for conventions

What’s Out?What’s Out?

Writing Process Pieces

–Drafts–Revisions–Editing–Final copies

Two Starting Points

1. From the front to the back

Date each pageDaily EntriesEvidence of different strategies

2nd Starting Point

2. From the Back to the Front

Examples of good writing Focus pieces on each trait Editing examples

Teacher Presented StrategiesHistory of a Name

Students can start the notebook by writing about their name.

Writing Writing from a Listfrom a List

Many writers keep lists: favorite books, movies to see, ideas for all sorts of

writing projects.Listing facts is one of the best ways to

brainstorm about a subject that interests you.

Start with a list of “Best Life Events” followed by “Worst Life Events.”

MemoriesMemoriesMemories just may be the most important

possession any writer has.

When you explore memories in your writing, pay attention to the feelings connected to it. Exploring a memory includes looking into not only what

happened but also how it affected you then, and how it affects you now.

Questions/WonderingsQuestions/WonderingsWe cannot control what students think about at any given time. They wonder

about a lot of things!

Teach students to capture their questions or “wonderings” in the notebook to allow time to reflect and think more deeply about the topic.

Rereading: Digging Out the CrystalsRereading: Digging Out the Crystals

Reread.

Look for seeds! Look for sparks!

Rereading keeps the notebook alive and well. Students find entries they didn’t finish or ones they want to add on to or start again.

Daily Pages

Journaling in the Writer’s Notebook

Allow students to write about the routine things that happen to them that they want to share.

Observations

Pay attention to the world about you!

Record observations Use sensory details

Writing from a Word

Choose a noun

Try using with verbs, adverbs, adjectives

Also works with quotes, similes, metaphors

See what happens as your mind begins to wander.

Lifting a Line

Students choose an interesting sentence in their writing and use that sentence as the first line of a new entry!

Writing off Literature

Good writers read a lot!

When they read…they think!

Writing off literature encourages students to react to what they have read…

NOTEBOOK EXPECTATIONSStudents are expected to:

Write daily in their notebooks Find topics for notebook writing Try strategies from mini-lessons Respect their notebook Use what they know about conventions

NOTEBOOK EXPECTIONSStudents can depend on the teacher to:

Provide time to write each day Teach writing strategies Teach a daily mini-lesson to show students how to

be better writers Have a writer’s notebook to share Respect student’s notebooks Teach the traits in focused mini-lessons

Application/HomeworkApplication/Homework

Write in your writer’s notebook. Share your notebook writing experiences with

your students.

Bring a book to October’s faculty meeting that you used to teach notebook writing. Be prepared to share with your colleagues how you used the book to teach an aspect

of writing.

Final Thoughts

The best way for anyone to become a writer is to write a lot.

Learn along with your students the excitement that comes from having a filled notebook!

Keeping a notebook isn’t something you “get”…

It’s not a science, there is no right way.

Keeping a notebook is a process.

It’s something that “gets” you!