Creating Anticipation in the Writing Workshop

(Picture by Wallyir)








So...if you haven't heard ...William and Kate are getting married. The most anticipated event in Britain...since...well...forever. There are books, plates, posters, cutlery... all to to create a sense of community with the people of the world.

So...Lit Maven..what is your point??

My point is...how can we create this same sense of excitement and anticipation in the writing classroom?

True. Workshops lends themselves to an ongoing process not a sense of destination. Well, I say with writing, we need to have both.

Here are:

7 Steps to a Writing Event

1) Pick a date.
2) Create the invites.
3) Sign up for snacks.
4) Charge up the FM system.
5) Decorate the classrom.
6) Wear a fancy outfit.
7) Share your favorite piece of writing with the class...or even other invited guests.

Hmmmm...something to think about...
If you have any more ideas to add or have created your own Writing Event...please let me know.

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven OUT!

Ice Cream has Many Flavors...So can Writing...

(Image by Cohdra)





Before I forget...I have to add a post about a recent classroom visit. I had the opportunity to visit a class of wonderfully excited grade ones...but aren't they always exited?

The topic was to make our own Pigeon books. The teacher and I hummed and hawed.

Would the kids write their own Don't Let the Pigeon...story?

Would we do one together as a class?

I don't know what I was thinking...you know how I love choice in topic...

Well...we started writing...the kids were excited...the MANDATORY topic:
Don't Let the Pigeon have a Sleepover....

We brainstormed....
We laughed...
We drew pigeons...
We accessorized pigeons....
We handed out the blank little books...
We conferenced...
We.....HEARD TEARS!!!! (Rhymes with jeers!)

My head nearly swivelled off my neck.

I thought the student was frustrated spelling....NOPE!

"What's wrong?" I asked.
He said," I want to write about....Don't Let the Pigeon Scuba Dive."
I paused..."then write it!"

A smile...the tears evaporated....and another little writer was on the way...

Moral of the story....
Write what you care about and LET THEM do the same!

Until Next Time,
Litmaven Out!