Idea Box Ideas from a Writer

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Idea BoxIdeas from a Writers
BoxDeborah J. RashellGreater Houston Area
Writing ProjectGoforth Elementary4th grade
Clear Creek I.S.D.
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Goforth Elementary

• P.P.C.D. program for students with disabilities
  that might be mental or physical
• Deaf ed. students that are mainstreamed, teacher
  wears headset with mic. and has an interpreter
• High percentage of identified autistic students
  that are mainstreamed
• Alternative academics life skills class for deaf
  and blind students
• Social development class for students that are
  not able to work safely, or cooperatively with
  peers
• Dyslexic, and resource students
• One e.s.l. class per grade level

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No Ideas?

• Everyones writing except me.
• I dont know what to write about.
• I have nothing to say.
• How do we motivate
• reluctant writers to
• write?

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Novice writers write best when they write
about something they know well. Writing about
familiar topics allows students to learn to write
by using content that is important to that
writer. How Writing Works Gloria
Houston
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Idea Box
The box continues to be used throughout the
year. Decorate the box to reflect you, your
favorite things, books, movies, people, family,
and anything that is special or important to
you. Decorate your box.
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Idea BoxJust remember that
this lesson may take an entire week to complete.
You might wish to spend several days or even
weeks on the targeted areas that teach children
the three ways of obtaining ideas.
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Start with the oral experience of a story, then
move to the writing experience.
Creative Power, The Nature and Nurture of
Childrens Writing Ronald Cramer
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Different Ways to Build Ideas for the Box

• Storytelling students tell personal stories to
  each other
• Shared book reading big books, small books
• Brainstorming webbing for ideas
  

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Everyone should have a few ideas on their
Post-its tucked inside the idea box. Please
choose one idea, talk about it briefly with a
partner, then begin writing your story.
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• In the classroom I would ask the students to
  tell their stories to each other. Then, I would
  show them how the storyteller puts his words on
  paper and read it to them.

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When I teach writing, I often start by
talking about ideas I might write about.
What a Writer Needs Ralph
Fletcher
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Sharing with peers engenders a sense of
success for children. The child who experiences
success in writing will want to write.
How Writing Works
Gloria Houston
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Extensions for Ideas

• Girls write their ideas inside the shapes of
  hearts, teddy bears, and friendship bracelets.
• Boys write their ideas inside the shapes of
  footballs, soccer balls, and tennis shoes.
  
• Pictures are also an option for special needs
  students, and beginning writers.

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Works Cited

• Houston,G.(2004) How Writing Works. Boston, MA
  Allyn and Bacon.
• Cramer, R. (2001) Creative Power The Nature and
  Nurture of Childrens Writing. Portsmouth, NH
  Priscilla McGeehon.
• Fletcher, R. (1993) What A Writer Needs.
  Portsmouth, NHHeinemann Publishers.