Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Picture Book Writing Lesson: Start With What Isn't There
In this lesson plan, learners will describe a setting, attempting to set a mood for their readers in two paragraphs. Borrowing a technique from Stephen Kramer's two-page introduction to Caves, they will begin with a paragraph that...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Chapter Book Writing Lesson: Creating a Parallel World
Inspired by the opening events in The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman, students are asked to create an original parallel world that is similar to ours but different in certain ways. They will focus on the similarities and differences...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Literature Inspired Writing Lesson: A Time Traveler's Log
Students will read chapter four of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, noting both the time traveler's descriptions of the new world of 800,000 ACE, and the conclusions the main character draws as a 19th century man. Students will think of a...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Picture Book Writing Lesson: Same Theme/different Story Stories
After enjoying the story of Fox by Margaret Wild, students will work in small groups to generate possible themes that the book is trying to teach its readers. Themes will be shared whole-group, and a class list of the best themes will be...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Chapter Book Writing Lesson: Rules and Things for a Funner Life
Each writer will brainstorm experiences where he/she has learned some sort of lesson about life. Each will then come up with a personal list of "Rules and Things for a Funner Life," such as those shared in Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Chapter Book Writing Lesson: Beyond Once Upon a Time
Learners are so used to hearing stories that start with the words Once upon a time and when writing their own stories, they often begin with these same words or with variations like One day I. Inspired by the novel Crispin by Avi This...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Picture Book Writing Lesson: Relative Report Narratives
After sharing Margie Palatini's charming "bad-situation-that-only-gets-worse tale", Tub-boo-boo, writers will plan a story about a humorous household accident that gets worse before it gets better. Borrowing Palatini's exciting idea from...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Literature Inspired Writing Lesson: I Never Knew That!
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem discover that their seemingly "feeble" father has an astonishing ability with a rifle. For this assignment, writers will compose a letter to a parent or loved one, asking for a return letter that...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Right Brained Lesson: Serendipitous Love Metaphors
Based on its title, student writers predict what Benatar's song means when it says that "Love Is a Battlefield." After discussing Benatar's extended metaphor as a class, students will create an original extended metaphor about love in...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Picture Book Writing Lesson: Same Theme/different Story Stories
After enjoying the picture book Six-Dinner Sid by Inga Moore, students will work in small groups to generate possible themes that the book is trying to teach its readers. Themes will be shared in whole-group, and a class list of the best...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A 6 Trait Writing Lesson: Emotional Recipe Write Ups
The writer studies the format of well-written recipes, paying particular attention to the type of verbs used in the paragraph of instructions which always follow the list of needed ingredients. Next, the writer thinks up a story or...