We spied Relyn Lawson's second graders during their very first writer's workshop lesson. Take a peek into their wondrous writing time!
Relyn began the lesson by reading aloud Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk.
If you're not familiar with the story,
HERE is the editorial review from Amazon.
When they finished the book, students discussed what you do if you want to write.
They had great responses based on what Sam did in the book as he was writing. Once their anchor chart was finished, it included ideas such as: read, read, read!, write what you know, use your imagination, share what you write, and edit your book.
Then, Mrs. Lawson told her students that she had invited a very special author to the classroom. The suspense was killing them! The students had to close their eyes, and when they opened them...
they saw their own faces! She held up a large mirror to show THEY were the authors. It was adorable how excited they were and they were ready to WRITE! So, Relyn brought out the blank books for the students to begin their writing. Using the blank books made them feel like real authors.
It just warmed our hearts when, as they grabbed their own blank book and headed for their desks, one boy exclaimed, "I've been waiting for this all year long!" And that, my friends, is how we want ALL students to feel about writing!
As Mrs. Lawson went around conferring, the students wrote...and wrote...and wrote with such enthusiasm.
Sharing validates the time they have spent as authors and is an important part of the lesson that should be protected in your schedule. The second grade authors gathered around the carpet area were eager to share their work with their friends.
When students publish a writing piece, Mrs. Lawson adds the book to a special place in the classroom library.
AMAZING lesson, Relyn! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
