A Writer’s Notebook – Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher
Hi everyone! Julie here, and I chose a book that several people have recommended to me. I have been meaning to read this book for a long time and my only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner. It is a small book and an easy read. Ralph Fletcher packed numerous good writing strategies into a small package and wrapped it with delightful and inspiring samples illustrating the strategies that he spoke to. It took me a little longer to get through the book because as I read I made notes in my own journal. I made notes on stories and events that I had forgotten about until I read the book and thought about the questions that Ralph Fletcher posed. For example, in discussing using your senses to collect “mind pictures” he points out that every house has its own distinct smell. He asks, “exactly how would you describe the smell of your grandmother’s house?” The first thought I had was stinky smoke. My grandmother smoked in the house a lot. But, as I let the question take me back to my grandmother’s house, the memories weren’t of a stinky house. They were of warmth, welcoming, safety and comfort. It amazed me how a simple question could trigger so many stories.
The book is presented in a manner that makes it easy to teach from. It is simple, yet effective. Fletcher presents a strategy and then uses stories to illustrate his point. I have already read a couple of his stories to my students to help them understand how the strategy can help them with their writing. The strategies presented are to help develop a strong, effective writer’s notebook, but many of the strategies could be used as individual lessons.
Throughout the book, Fletcher discusses the benefits of capturing your thoughts, dreams, observations, and experienced in a notebook, but stresses that there is no right way to create the notebook because it must be uniquely you. He does explain that a writer’s notebook is not a diary nor is it a reading journal. He discusses the way different people have kept their writer’s notebook; he also discusses how prefers to write everything in a notebook just using paper and pencil with nothing fancy. Fletcher mentions that there are a few writers that prefer not to keep a writer’s notebook. This year I plan to teach the writer’s notebook to the 4th and 5th grade students. The strategies used to develop the notebook are good writing strategies and can be applied to any writing. So, I feel that the students are getting a double benefit and perhaps it is something that they will choose to continue throughout their lives. I am looking forward to seeing the students’ response to the notebook. Their interest and development as writers will help me determine if I will continue with the notebook next year. That leads me to my question to you. Do you think it is worth the time and effort to teach students how to keep a writer’s notebook? A place to keep “seeds” for future writings.
Julie–I am so glad that you read this book as I LOVE it!!! I took a class a few years ago and this book was part of what we received. I appreciated how accessible it was to people of all ages. I then decided to use it with my honors students. It became the basis for their summer assignment as well as for many many activities and assignments we did in class. I found it extremely beneficial for my students. At the beginning of the year, they were confused on what the do with a notebook and that I would collect it and therefore it wouldn’t be all that authentic. However, as the year went along and as I read more and more chapters to them, they became much more comfortable. Plus, I never collected their specific notebooks. Instead, I had them take a selection or a piece from their notebooks, polish it up and turn it in. The could determine which type of feedback they desired from me. It worked quite well, and ultimately, I think it gave them a place to think out things, mark down their ideas, etc.
So, in answer to your question(”Is it worth the time and effort to teach students how to keep a writer’s notebook?”), I would say a resounding YES. I am doing this again with my students this year, and they seem even more eager to be writing. During our enrichment periods these last few days, I have given them upwards of 20 minutes of solid, silent writing time, and they have devoured it up. I wish you the best of luck, and I think you will see resounding benefits quicker than you think. Take Care–Rebekah
Julie,
In my mere 45-50 minutes per class, I feel it is absolutely essentail for students to have a writer’s notebook, primarily as their secret diary. I know you teach in a school that has some socioeco concerns, and that is students’ personal outlet, their inspiration, their doctrine. It is something that is theirs, and no one can take it away- that journal can take them to so many levels and give them so much to write about, as it becomes their platform. For me, I journal in two times of life: 1. total highs like falling in love and 2. total lows like falling out of love and those journals helped me make it through- I want kids to be able to have this and see the power of writing, both internally and even socially. I do plan to do a writing journal with them and read my vulnerable stories (to an extent) so they can see that writing heals, but it also celebrates.
So, all in all, in the essence of a grade, it should not be important to students, but in the essence of their personal prized possession, I think it is ultimately a gift to have a writing journal!