We Did It!

Crafting Author Celebrations That Honor Student Writing

Jacqueline HodgeExcel Charter Academy

2.jhodge@heritageacademies.comLake Michigan Writing Project

Summer 2011

Today’s Agenda• Beliefs and Rationale(10 min)• Celebration Ideas (10 min)• Things to Consider (15 min)• Celebrate! (35 min)• Reflection (5 min)

Write About It!• In what ways do you celebrate and

honor your students’ writing?• Write for 3-5 minutes.• Turn and talk to a partner.• Three people share whole group.

Former Beliefs & Assumptions

• Kids will write if they have an interesting prompt.

• Kids will notice their own growth as writers.

Essential Question• Do writers write better when they know

they have a real audience? Why? What is considered a real audience?• Think (1 min)• Write (3 min)• Pair (2 min)

Rationale“…to transform the teaching of writing so that

students not only become proficient writers but also joyful and confident writers whose unique voices engage their readers. Teaching, supporting, and expecting kids to do their best is where the fun begins.”

~Regie Routman

Writing Essentials by page 34

Rationale “Writing is a social act. People write to

affect the lives of others.”

~Donald Graves

A Fresh Look at Writing, page 132.

Rationale “Students need opportunities for their

writing to go forward and go public—to reach audiences outside the classroom and the school—so that they can then begin to see how their words truly affect the feelings, beliefs, and choices of other people…” ~Ann Marie Corgill Of Primary Importance: What’s Essential in Teaching Young Writers, page 23.

Rationale “[Children] also deserve opportunities

to write for someone—for readers who will respond to what they have written…Otherwise how will young writers learn that writing well involves aiming to create an effect?”

~Lucy Calkins A Guide to the Writing Workshop, page 9.

RationaleThen…• Six Traits workbook• Writing prompts• MEAP practice• Writing for Teacher only• Mild interest

Now…• Lucy Calkins & writing

workshop model• Celebrations after every

unit• Writing for the

Community (parents, teachers, students)

• Even the 3rd graders talk about the 4th grade celebrations

Celebration Ideas• Second Grade Sharing• Coffee Shop• Essays in Small Groups• Pajama Party• Red Carpet Celebration• Wild West• Hawaiian Luau• Bedtime Stories

Other Ways to Celebrate• Sharing a student’s writing during a

lesson• Circling Up• End of the Year Awards/Certificates• Writing Books• Writing Reflections

Things to Consider• Purpose• Audience• Time Constraints/Attention Span• Budget/Supplies/Food/Décor• Rehearsing for the Celebration

Purpose• What is the genre of the piece of

writing? (narrative, essay, poetry, etc.)• What mood do you wish to establish?• At what time in the school year is the

celebration occurring? • Assessment

Audience• Who will attend the celebration?

• Parents?• Students from other classes?• Other teachers?

• Consider content of student writing and student emotional needs. Are students willing to share their written thoughts publicly?

Time Constraints• What is the attention span of your

students?• Will everyone hear everyone else’s

piece?• How will you maintain the energy level

throughout the celebration?

Supplies and Budget• What materials will you need to pull off the

celebration?• Special Publishing Paper• Food• Decorations• Microphone• Author Chair

• Who is going to pay for the food, decorations, etc?• When will you set everything up?• Will you need help? How much? Who?

Rehearsal• Give time for students to practice

reading their pieces aloud to each other. This enables them to troubleshoot before the celebration.

Any Questions?

Celebrate!!• Partner Up: High Five It• Rehearsal: Read your writing to your

partner. Fill out intro sheet.• Food and Share: Keep your writing at

your desk, grab a plate, fork, brownie, and glass.

Student Response• Madison: I loved the Red Carpet Author’s Celebration. I

think everyone loved it because even the boys dressed up!

• Athena: I like our Author Celebration because people can listen to our stories.

• Aiden: I like it when the parents come in, and when we have food and drinks.

• Christian: I loved all the celebrations, but my favorite was the last one. We got to dress up and drink kid champagne.

Reflection• In what ways can you incorporate

celebration into your classroom? How would you do that?

• How can you create a greater sense of audience in your classroom?

Bibliography• Calkins, Lucy. 2006. A Guide to the Writing Workshop, Grades 3-5.

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

• Corgill, Ann Marie. 2008. Of Primary Importance: What’s Essential in Teaching Young Writers. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.

• Graves, Donald. 1994. A Fresh Look at Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

• Routman, Regie. 2004. Writing Essentials: Raising Expectations and Results While Simplifying Teaching. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.