Writer's Notebooks

Hey Parents!

You should have noticed that your children are bringing home hard-covered notebooks that we call "Writer's Notebooks".  This year students are becoming "real" writers, and keeping their thoughts, ideas, and drafts in a writer's notebooks.  This is an integral part of their homework.  They should be writing at least 3 different entries in their notebooks during the week, and handing it in on a specific day (the day is written on the inside cover of their book). 

Sometimes I give them a topic, but sometimes they must write independently.  They can share their writing with you, but PLEASE do not help them, change their work, or edit their work.  These are all things we will do in class, as part of the programme.

There are two sections in the book:  an "I" section where they do writing about themselves, and the other section where they would write about the outside world.  They have created a web in each section to help them in choosing topics about which to write.

The most important aspect of this programme is for them to read the feedback I give them when I read their writing each week.  I tell them what they are doing well, what they need to improve and how they can do that, and perhaps I will suggest topics for them.

Students who follow the programme properly (writing 3 times a week, handing in their book, using teacher feedback), improve their writing significantly over the course of the year.

Happy Writing!

Ms. B