Comments on: A Writer’s Notebook – Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher http://nnwp.edublogs.org/2008/09/07/a-writer%e2%80%99s-notebook-%e2%80%93-unlocking-the-writer-within-you-by-ralph-fletcher/ The official (we)blog for the Northern Nevada Writing Project Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:04:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: carolinehatcher http://nnwp.edublogs.org/2008/09/07/a-writer%e2%80%99s-notebook-%e2%80%93-unlocking-the-writer-within-you-by-ralph-fletcher/comment-page-1/#comment-119 carolinehatcher Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:30:40 +0000 http://nnwp.edublogs.org/?p=14#comment-119 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! 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!

]]> By: rebekahfoster http://nnwp.edublogs.org/2008/09/07/a-writer%e2%80%99s-notebook-%e2%80%93-unlocking-the-writer-within-you-by-ralph-fletcher/comment-page-1/#comment-115 rebekahfoster Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:56:17 +0000 http://nnwp.edublogs.org/?p=14#comment-115 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–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

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