About the Writers Notebook...

Writing instruction in my class began on the second day of school. Students were introduced to the Writer's Notebook with several lessons that got them used to writing in it. Recently, it became a standing homework assignment to write 20 minutes in the notebook, working on the strategies that we learned in class. Here is a partial list of some "do's and don'ts" for the Writer's Notebook.

•  DO personalize your notebook...students had a lot of fun with it! Add photos, drawings, whatever you want. These actually may help you get some ideas as well! 
• DON'T think of the writer's notebook as a journal where you write what happened that day or where you write book reports or whatever. This is a place to explore your observations of the world, or your memories of important people in your life, or anything else you can think of. 
• DO try to write in your notebook every day...20 minutes of writing at home is a standing assignment in my class. 
• DON'T worry about spelling, punctuation, or things like that...just get your ideas out on paper! 
• DO try to have a space without distractions that you can sit down and write 
• DON'T let obstacles get in your way...to get your mind in gear, you can generate lists: of important people to you, places you've been, things that matter to you. Once you've generated that list, pick one item and see if you can write more about it. 
• DO try to linger on one topic at a time. Try to "zoom in" on one particular moment...don't write all about your vacation to Disney World in one entry; write about the frantic dash from Epcot to the monorail in the pouring rain one night you were there!

 Happy writing!
 -Mr. Ullman

Edward shows off his customized Writers Notebook!