Marley & Memoirs

We are back at it this week. We've been reading Marley & Me together, examining the in and outs of what makes a great memoir. My favorite chapter is Chapter 5, "A Battle of Wills." I so enjoy the image of John and Jenny taking Marley to obedience classes and the tribulations of doing so. Ahhh, been there with my own dog, done that. My class was just giggling in fits, listening to the chapter. (Fourth graders particularly enjoy any story that has pet poop in it -- this one is a crowd pleaser!) 

So now that we are about 7 chapters in, now, my little friends can begin making a list of possible memoirs that they could write. I start them off with "My Life as a..." I ask them to come up with 15 or 20 possibilities. Their eyes get as big as saucers until I share some of my possible titles. "My life as  a.." ...mother of soldiers; ...gardener ...cookie baker ...big sister ... little sister. All the facets of my life could become the focus of my memoir.

My little friends come up some very original ideas: "My Life as a..." 

...Nature Lover

...Traveler

...Fisherman 

...Hip Hop Dancer

...Hamster Owner

...Pastor's Daughter

Good stuff! They come up with all of this on their own.

Tomorrow we begin drafting. They have to choose one topic from their list. They have to be able to  write about three incidents relating to the topic. They also must have a message they would like to convey to the reader. Naturally, they have to craft their writing so that the message is evident, but not directly stated.

It seems like a heavy load for a 9 year old writer, but it's not. They love it, and they rise to the occasion. I can't wait for tomorrow!

Inspiration, Tools, Tricks

Inspiration, Tools, Tricks

When you teach writing, you are always on the prowl for the next cool gizmo or gadget to delight young writers and make their pencils fly. Even better if that tool is FREE. Who doesn’t love free?

I am one of those weirdos who can’t pass a rest area without grabbing a stack of maps, brochures, or flyers for tourist attractions because I might “need them someday.” My family has become more accepting of my quirky, pack rat-ish behavior. My kids just pretend they are with someone else, but my husband has come to the place of true acceptance. He even indulges me in my squirreling away tendencies. Now that is LOVE.

So….one day, I was in a local hardware store perusing the paint section when my eye fell on one of the greatest freebies I have ever come to know. Paint chips!!! I had no need of paint, and I had no reason to start grabbing chips. I walked down the aisle, and there amidst the sea of blues, reds, greens and yellows, was the ultimate teacher treasure. I almost can’t believe it to this very day, my good fortune was such. Some innovative paint company struck a deal with Crayola and made vibrant paint intended for children’s rooms. Then they took it over the top and put the paint colors on chips shaped like the top of crayons. Genius!!!!

I couldn’t help myself. They were so stinking cute, I grabbed a few, random colors that appealed to me. Knowing full well my own children were beyond the age these were being marketed to, I felt like I was stealing, but I didn’t care. I was like a moth to the flame. I couldn’t go home without a small stack in my hand.

When I got home, I showed my husband sheepishly. “Look what I found?” He has learned to mirror whatever pleased look I have on my face. Whether he is as amazed by whatever new freebie comes my way, he knows better than to not share my enthusiasm. “Oh, wow. Now what did you get those for?”

“Writing, of course.” How could he not see the possibilities bundled in my outstretched hand? I often have to remember that he is not in the field, so he might not immediately get it. “Oh, for writing…. Well, good, Honey.” I could see he wasn’t seeing the big picture.

Paint chips are an amazing tool when you want to teach a lesson on revising, adding “color” words. Did you ever notice the names printed on the chips? Cerulean blue, Forest Moss, Puffy Cloud, Strawberry Shake, and the list goes on and on.

Armed with my paint chips, I’ve done whole lessons on putting color into a piece of writing. Paint chips are just plain fun for student writers. Sometimes I pass out chips randomly to students and ask them to incorporate that color into their writing.

The possibilities are endless. What would you do with  stack of pain chips?