Classroom Writing: Ten Word Stories

Here's a fun and easy writing idea:

I started doing these little writing projects with my students back in December.  I call them Ten Word Stories.  I have been very pleased with the results.  It seems to give my students enough structure to really let their creativity flourish.  I also like it, because we do not have many opportunities to celebrate seasonal events and holidays.  This allows us to sneak in some of the fun while still doing the work.

Here is how it works:

I give students a list of ten words that they must include in a story.  The students write, and then we share.  They can be as creative as they want to be.  (In December I had a little alien, named Reindeer, living on the planet Santa!)

Here are lists of words for January through April.

I also think it might be fun to give 10 verbs or 10 adjectives!  (I haven't done this yet.)

We've added art, and they have made a great hall display, too!

Poetry Writing Early In 4th Grade

I chuckle at the response of 4th graders when I tell them they are going to write poetry--disbelief, groans, cheers are heard!  I don't usually start this early in the year, but I think poetry is great for reluctant writers, because poets don't have to follow the conventional rules of sentence structure or grammar.

Last week my students wrote Auto-Biography Poems, using the rough draft template over at Create Teach Share.  I loved this activity!  It was so successful.  Everyone has a poem hanging on their locker.  I totally enjoyed reading them, too!  I'm going to keep this as an early in the year writing workshop activity.

What have you tried this year that you know you're going to keep for future years?

Another Picture Book For Writing

Here's another book I read to my 3 year old last week, but I can't wait to share it with my 4th graders in writing class.

You Get What You Get by Julie Gassman, illustrated by Sarah Horne

Melvin is learning that we don't always get what we want.  He's having a hard time with all this.  {Don't we all!}  At school they have the mantra, "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."  He ends up taking the lesson home, and the book ends with proof that he did learn the lesson.  It's another quick read.

My 3 year old said this was a really good book, and he is a surprisingly tough critic.  I like the illustrations, too.

So how would I use this for writing?  I have a few ideas:

Here are 2 possible journal prompts:

Write about a time when you didn't get something you wanted.

Write about a time when you forgot this saying, and you threw a fit.  {Kids are usually so honest!}

Class discussion before writing:

Make a list of other important sayings your students have heard, and then they can choose one about which to write a story.  {I want to think of a little list because sometimes kids have a hard time with this.}  To expand the authenticity of the writing, the stories could be shared with younger students or actually tuned into picture books.  I think this will be a good spot to talk a bit about fables, too.

Community journal:


I think I'm going to put a picture of the book cover on the front of a notebook, and then I'm going to offer all 3 of the prompts above, and students can take turns writing and illustrating stories--either fictional or biographical.

What ideas do you have for making writing more power-full?

Here is where I shared another book.

Writing With Picture Books

I live with a 3 year old.  I'm reading multiple picture books everyday.  I am a teacher.  I can't help but think about how some of these little gems could be used in my classroom!  Most of these books I would not have picked up for a 4th grade classroom, but I can always find some really good application.

From time to time I want to share some of those ideas here.

Today I've chosen My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza

 I really want to use lots more picture books in my classroom this year.  I read aloud daily to my students from chapter books, but there is something about picture books.

Anyway. . . My Lucky Day is a great example of how to add a twist to the plot that will surprise the reader.  I thought this would perhaps be too subtle for a 3 year old, but once we got to the meatballs and spaghetti he kept say, "That's so silly."  If he "got it," I'm pretty sure 9 and 10 year olds will, too!

I'm still trying to think of what writing prompt I will give them after this.  Any ideas?

How do you use picture books in your classroom with intermediate grades?