All About ME! A Personal Narrative Writer's Workshop

I love children's literature, especially narratives based on a special story from the author's own life.   In this class, we will delve into the beautiful world of personal narratives, using examples from children's literature to inspire our own narrative pieces of work.  My teaching style is energetic and hands on!  I love teaching children in an engaged, enthusiastic manner. 

Day 1:  We will get to know each other by talking about our favorite authors/books and why we love them.  I will read students one of my favorite narrative stories, "When I was Young in the Mountains" by Cynthia Rylant.  We will then talk about the writing process and begin brainstorming ideas (prewriting) for our own narrative stories.  At home, each student will work on a rough draft to be shared in our next class.

Day 2:  We will continue our discussion of narrative stories, and I will share another favorite book, "My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother" by Patricia Polacco.   We will then workshop each child's rough draft, helping her/him to make changes in a very positive manner.  At home, each student will be expected to continue working on her/his story.

Day 3:  This day will be similar to Day 2.   After reading and discussing another beautiful piece of children's literature, the students will have another opportunity to share their writing and get feedback on it.  We will also discuss the editing and publishing steps of the writing process.  I will be sending each family easy, fun ways to publish writing, and the students will publish their work before our final class.

Day 4:  In our final day, we will celebrate!  I will share a celebratory story and then the students will have the opportunity to share their finished stories.  They will each be celebrated as authors in this final class!