1. Writing Widely Presenters: Eugene Kharam Katie Boe

2. Agenda 10:00am Reflection on Reading Widely: How did last session go? 10:05am Importance of authentic writing- own examples 10:20am Practical writing suggestions 10:45am Research handout and summary 10:57am Next preview

3. Authentic Writing Writing that comes from real life experiences

4. Try Yourself Write to your partner about the most exciting event in the past your year

5. Practical Writing Suggestions Pair up with a teacher from another building (this could be in your town or another state) and allow students to form relationships as pen pals. If possible students can meet each other at the end of the year.

6. Practical Writing Suggestions Encourage students to write “review” or “critiques”. They can critique a movie, restaurant, sporting event, play, museum exhibit, book, video game, hotel, or vacation destination. These critiques can be read to the class, placed in a folder in the classroom for others to read during free-reading, or published weekly/monthly in a class newspaper.

7. Practical Writing Suggestions Promote written correspondence whenever possible. For example if students ask for another copy of a field trip form, have them write a note. Or if they need a reminder to themselves or parents, have them write it.

8. Practical Writing Suggestions Have students create signs for the classroom or school. Students can create an ‘out of order’ sign or ‘please clean your mess’ sign.

9. Practical Writing Suggestions When students go on vacation they can keep a journal and write postcards (including one to their classmates). Students can take photographs with a disposable camera and then write about each picture in a photo album that provides writing space.

10. Practical Writing Suggestions Write letters to thank classroom volunteers or guest speakers.

11. Practical Writing Suggestions Write book reviews on book marks and put them in classroom books

12. Practical Writing Suggestions Enter writing contests. Check small, local papers for better odds that one of your students will win.

13. Practical Writing Suggestions –Submit written stories to children's publications. Stone Soup Magazine welcomes submissions by young people through age 13.Stone Soup Magazine

14. Practical Writing Suggestions Take advantage of every authentic writing opportunity.

15. Wind Down Alignment with standards Questions