make a list

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Home : 2005 : April : 29

make a list
By Buffalo Gal

When I went through training in Writer's Workshop, we were taught to have the kids make their own lists of possible future topics for personal narratives. Start with a discussion. You know some things about some kids, so
start with that. I would say, "Jessie helps her mom at the Horse Sale Barn, so I know Jessie would have some adventures there to write about. Ryan could tell about the deer he shot last year at hunting season. Dylan has a puppy that he's very proud of, and I've heard some fun stories about that puppy." Then let kids brainstorm some things on their own and write a list of short phrases that

remind them of topics they can write about. If some are still "stuck", throw in some comments that everyone could write about, like the last field trip everyone went on, or the time the power went off at school, or any special visitors or assemblies (name them) they remember about. Let them write more ideas for a while. You can turn it into a cooperative learning activity by having them stand, mix around the room, and stop when you make a signal. They should share two ideas with someone close, and listen while that person shares ideas. If the idea is something the student can also write about ("Hey, I have a puppy too!") they can add it to their own list at that time. Do this until there are several ideas on everyone's lists.