Comments for GTPS Writer's Notebook Project http://gtpsblogs.org sharing writing resources Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:46:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://gtpsblogs.org/?v=3.4.1 Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by Jenna Wyks http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Jenna Wyks Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:46:55 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-34 Terry - I actually think that there's really nothing special that you need to do to make Writer's Notebook mini-lessons carry over to the poem and picture prompts. It will just happen naturally. Over the last few months, we spent a great deal of time using our Notebooks. Every couple of weeks or so, I'd throw the kids a timed picture prompt or poem prompt (even after testing was over). In their responses, I often saw evidence of the mini-lessons that I taught through Writer's Notebook. For example, we spent a couple days on similes and personification in April and May. Ever since then, I've seen at least half of my students use (or attempt to use) these techniques in their writing, even without me reminding them. The transfer is definately happening! Also, I love to hear that you, too, are finding multiple uses for the Strategies that Work picture books! My students and I have read some of those books four, even five times, during Writer's Workshop, looking for something different each time. I've found that picture books are the BEST way to introduce a mini-lesson for Writer's Notebook. I used this website, http://www.nwrel.org/index.php, a lot to help me come up with Notebook mini-lessons that include picture books. It is dedicated to 6+1 Trait Writing, but so many of the lessons lend themselves perfectly to Writer's Notebook and I was able to find most of the picture books in my personal or the school library. Happy Summer everyone! Terry – I actually think that there’s really nothing special that you need to do to make Writer’s Notebook mini-lessons carry over to the poem and picture prompts. It will just happen naturally. Over the last few months, we spent a great deal of time using our Notebooks. Every couple of weeks or so, I’d throw the kids a timed picture prompt or poem prompt (even after testing was over). In their responses, I often saw evidence of the mini-lessons that I taught through Writer’s Notebook. For example, we spent a couple days on similes and personification in April and May. Ever since then, I’ve seen at least half of my students use (or attempt to use) these techniques in their writing, even without me reminding them. The transfer is definately happening!

Also, I love to hear that you, too, are finding multiple uses for the Strategies that Work picture books! My students and I have read some of those books four, even five times, during Writer’s Workshop, looking for something different each time. I’ve found that picture books are the BEST way to introduce a mini-lesson for Writer’s Notebook. I used this website, http://www.nwrel.org/index.php, a lot to help me come up with Notebook mini-lessons that include picture books. It is dedicated to 6+1 Trait Writing, but so many of the lessons lend themselves perfectly to Writer’s Notebook and I was able to find most of the picture books in my personal or the school library.

Happy Summer everyone!

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by Terry http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Terry Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:08:48 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-33 Joe....I'm excited to start Writer's Notebook in September too. I'm hoping to see some carry over to the poem and picture prompts. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do that? Chris and Kim....thanks for the September idea. I'll definitely try it with my third graders. My students really enjoyed the activity "Writing From Literature". I was able to use some of the "Strategies That Work" books for this entry. It was convenient to be able to combine required curriculum materials into one, as none of us ever have enough time! I received a transfer student in April and we worked on his binder cover. There was no assistance from home, so I took a picture of him for the cover. I also had his sixth grade "Big Buddy" help him print out clip art that expressed his interests to add to the cover. I just thought that was good use of time for everyone. Joe….I’m excited to start Writer’s Notebook in September too. I’m hoping to see some carry over to the poem and picture prompts. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do that?

Chris and Kim….thanks for the September idea. I’ll definitely try it with my third graders.

My students really enjoyed the activity “Writing From Literature”. I was able to use some of the “Strategies That Work” books for this entry. It was convenient to be able to combine required curriculum materials into one, as none of us ever have enough time!

I received a transfer student in April and we worked on his binder cover. There was no assistance from home, so I took a picture of him for the cover. I also had his sixth grade “Big Buddy” help him print out clip art that expressed his interests to add to the cover. I just thought that was good use of time for everyone.

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by giaquintoa http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-32 giaquintoa Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:48:03 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-32 Love to see this threaded discussion - the purpose of the blog. Kim and Chris - thanks for sharing another idea! Love to see this threaded discussion – the purpose of the blog. Kim and Chris – thanks for sharing another idea!

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by wyksj http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-31 wyksj Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:21:47 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-31 Terry - I could have spoken those words myself! My kids are huge fans of their Writer's Notebooks. In fact, they've just spent the last few mornings "lifting lines" from their Notebooks, putting them into their own journals or papers so that they can continue writing over the summer. I can't wait to see what happens next year when I launch the Notebooks in September and we have all year to work on them! And thanks Chris and Kim for the Notebook idea... that's a great September activity! Terry – I could have spoken those words myself! My kids are huge fans of their Writer’s Notebooks. In fact, they’ve just spent the last few mornings “lifting lines” from their Notebooks, putting them into their own journals or papers so that they can continue writing over the summer. I can’t wait to see what happens next year when I launch the Notebooks in September and we have all year to work on them!

And thanks Chris and Kim for the Notebook idea… that’s a great September activity!

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by Kim Monroe & Chris Fuhs http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Kim Monroe & Chris Fuhs Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:53:57 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-30 Terry, we couldn’t agree with you more! We were heavy into Writing Workshop with picture and poem prompts when we received training about the Writer’s Notebook. We were reluctant to introduce a new concept, but also felt that it was important for our kids to learn to enjoy writing. Once we began, the enthusiasm for writing spread like wildfire…ALL of our kids were writing! Each of the activities we modeled went well, but we weren’t sure about the carry over to writing workshop. Students have begun using them as a resource which we think will improve over time. We look forward to the implementation of Writer’s Notebook in September. Your idea that students enjoy knowing about their teachers sparked an idea that we saw from the Writer’s Prompts in our TIME FOR KIDS. Chris is going to use this in September. In your notebook, list five things you want your teacher to know about you. Explain why it is important for your teacher to have this information. We thought this would be a good way to get to know your new students. As the teacher, you could model the lesson with 5 things you would like your students to know about you! Terry, we couldn’t agree with you more! We were heavy into Writing Workshop with picture and poem prompts when we received training about the Writer’s Notebook. We were reluctant to introduce a new concept, but also felt that it was important for our kids to learn to enjoy writing. Once we began, the enthusiasm for writing spread like wildfire…ALL of our kids were writing! Each of the activities we modeled went well, but we weren’t sure about the carry over to writing workshop. Students have begun using them as a resource which we think will improve over time. We look forward to the implementation of Writer’s Notebook in September.

Your idea that students enjoy knowing about their teachers sparked an idea that we saw from the Writer’s Prompts in our TIME FOR KIDS. Chris is going to use this in September.

In your notebook, list five things you want your teacher to know about you. Explain why it is important for your teacher to have this information.

We thought this would be a good way to get to know your new students. As the teacher, you could model the lesson with 5 things you would like your students to know about you!

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook Succeeds in Teaching Writing Process by giaquintoa http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/comment-page-1/#comment-29 giaquintoa Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:45:59 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/28/writers-notebook-succeeds-in-teaching-writing-process/#comment-29 Terry-Your post makes all the work worthwhile. To read that students are enjoying what they do and using the notebook in a productive way is absolutely wonderful! The notebook is important in and of itself as well as serving as a resource for students when they write pieces in progress (test prompts or personal choice). Next year, we should see even greater progress with writer's notebook since it will be launched in September and used all year on a regular basis. We also hope to keep the blog going so that teachers can share writer's notebook activities, experiences, and student work. There will also be additional written information and follow-up workshops regarding writer's notebook. I would love to come in and do a lesson with your class. Thanks for sharing! Annette Terry-Your post makes all the work worthwhile. To read that students are enjoying what they do and using the notebook in a productive way is absolutely wonderful! The notebook is important in and of itself as well as serving as a resource for students when they write pieces in progress (test prompts or personal choice). Next year, we should see even greater progress with writer’s notebook since it will be launched in September and used all year on a regular basis. We also hope to keep the blog going so that teachers can share writer’s notebook activities, experiences, and student work. There will also be additional written information and follow-up workshops regarding writer’s notebook. I would love to come in and do a lesson with your class. Thanks for sharing! Annette

]]> Comment on Authors Really use Writer’s Notebooks by M Hinman http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/15/authors-really-use-writers-notebooks/comment-page-1/#comment-28 M Hinman Fri, 23 May 2008 13:40:20 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/15/authors-really-use-writers-notebooks/#comment-28 What a profoundly important moment for a young writer. I trust the experience was captured in many writers' notebooks under, perhaps, "turningpoints." What a profoundly important moment for a young writer. I trust the experience was captured in many writers’ notebooks under, perhaps, “turningpoints.”

]]> Comment on Authors Really use Writer’s Notebooks by M Hinman http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/15/authors-really-use-writers-notebooks/comment-page-1/#comment-27 M Hinman Wed, 21 May 2008 15:26:19 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/15/authors-really-use-writers-notebooks/#comment-27 What a wonderfully positive lead off posting! Kudos to all for bringing such a powerful experience to our schools! What a wonderfully positive lead off posting! Kudos to all for bringing such a powerful experience to our schools!

]]> Comment on Writer’s Notebook & Voicethread: The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift! by giaquintoa http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/06/writers-notebook-voicethread-the-perfect-mothers-day-gift/comment-page-1/#comment-26 giaquintoa Mon, 12 May 2008 22:46:34 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/05/06/writers-notebook-voicethread-the-perfect-mothers-day-gift/#comment-26 Jenna- This post strikes me in so many ways. Use of a college level activity with 3rd graders - love to see these high expectations with appropriate support Reviewing a previously created graphic organizer for a new writing assignment. Modeling - one of the best ways to teach The writing-web 2.0 connection Making mom feel so special! My compliments and thanks to you and your students! Annette Giaquinto Jenna-
This post strikes me in so many ways.
Use of a college level activity with 3rd graders – love to see these high expectations with appropriate support
Reviewing a previously created graphic organizer for a new writing assignment.
Modeling – one of the best ways to teach
The writing-web 2.0 connection
Making mom feel so special!

My compliments and thanks to you and your students!
Annette Giaquinto

]]> Comment on I like games too by giaquintoa http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/04/18/i-like-games-too/comment-page-1/#comment-24 giaquintoa Thu, 01 May 2008 22:05:30 +0000 http://gtpsblogs.org/blog/2008/04/18/i-like-games-too/#comment-24 It's nice to see an ongoing conversation through this blog. Often, comments are made or questions are asked but no one replies. Great start to our district blogging! It’s nice to see an ongoing conversation through this blog. Often, comments are made or questions are asked but no one replies. Great start to our district blogging!

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