Book 1: A Fresh Look at Writing Linda Carter

Author: Donald H. Graves

This book did give me a "fresh look at writing". I found several useful strategies that I plan to use in my third grade classroom. Each chapter contained several "actions" or activities to better oneself as a writer and a writing teacher. Following is a list of Actions that I thought I'd like to remember and use myself and with my classroom next year:

Action 3.1 Begin to learn to read the world. Write down the stuff of your life from the last 24 hours to see what may be there to write about. Write what happened and then write questions or reflections of what happened. Write for about 20 minutes. Use this list a write a ten-minute piece from it. Continue using the list to generate writing.

Action 9.1 Share with small group (5-8 students) Have one student share, the others listen. Have others repeat what they remember (actual words). Then students comment on what strikes them. Lastly, ask questions of author. Should be very structured at first. Teacher models often.

Action 10.7 To make sure you are reaching all students, take writing folders home (4 each night). Write short letters to students about what you see in their folders.

Action 14.3 Chat with a student about their piece. Have them "tell" you more about it. Listen for something the child says that is not written in the piece. Ask them where they might put it if they were to include it. Ask if they would like to add it - show how to write on a separate piece of paper and star the place where the addition would go.

Writing fiction: Start with "reading the world" (mentioned before) to find possibilities for character development. Sketch in a character. Choose a situation to develop the character. Create a story together with the class. Start with plot and return to characters (names, appearance, behavior), setting, specific plot action: beginning, unfolding plot revealing characters.

Poetry

Start with a list poem. Choose a theme and have students contribute to the list. Read a variety of poetry to students.

This book had many useful ideas, only some of which pertained to young writers. I wouldn't probably buy this book.