Part+2+Nonfiction+Writing+from+the+Heart


 * Nonfiction Writing from the Heart**

Thoughts from our discussion on 7/21

- start the year off with more nonfiction writing - build on the all about books students wrote in kindergarten

- impressed by the respect the authors gave the discussion about the wonders, they weren't concerned about students finding the 'right' answer

- want to build on what was done last year with our library - more students writing books to put in our school library - have students able to check out each others' books

- use Steve Jenkins books as great mentor texts for nonfiction

- thinking about our 2nd grade animal reports - could students write them based around their wonderings about an animal?

- could we collect good nonfiction mentor texts to keep in the book room and check out?

- like the idea of talking with experts about students' wonderings - could skpye with folks

- one teacher gave students time at the end of the year to research a topic of their choice to present to their classmates in a 'convention'

- discussed again the importance of language - Tony Stead - 'never underestimate the power of pictures' - students can label pictures as a scaffold - having the teacher record students' wondering (at least early on in the year) offers a scaffold for the language as it is on display - having I Wonder prompts displayed will help students share their wonderings (I wonder how..., I wonder why..., I wonder what..., etc.) - can create topical word walls to scaffold language - words on specific topics related to curriculum or related to class interest - can brainstorm lists, write on the smartboard, and print out for reference - strengthening students' vocabulary makes reading easier and offers opportunities for more detailed writing - you can't read and write what you can't say - discussed creating centers to encourage vocabulary development - premade pictures and words to match - students create index card puzzles (draw a picture and write a word and cut them apart, a friend can then solve the puzzles) - concentration - picture and magnetic letters in a baggie to create the word - guessing games (I'm thinking of a word that means an animal's nose and starts with S) - power of modeling - can provide students with language to problem solve

- I love how the heart wonderings give the children the power of "mulling over" their thoughts and beliefs. I think heart wonderings are a powerful intro to nonfiction writing...sort of a transition or bridge between fiction and research-based writing. So many times we think of non-fiction writing as index cards, sited sources, etc. - I also love the ideas above about building vocabulary through the heart wonderings and using this vocabulary on word walls and centers. Collaborative writing - as opposed to individual books- when the students share heart wonderings would also allow for talking and vocabulary building as they discuss their ideas and start to formulate their questions and writing. Awesome ideas!


 * What are Your Three Wonders?**


 * Wonder Boxes**


 * Heart Wonders**


 * Books of Wonder: Writing Nonfiction from the Heart**