Journaling According to Humphrey

One of the highlights of any day is my read aloud time. I love gathering the kids on the carpet and sharing an adventure together. The group I have this year loves story time which makes it all the better. We finished reading The World According to Humphrey earlier this week which is a terrific read aloud for third graders. 

My kids LOVED the book and they were so sad when it was over which meant they begged and begged for me to read another one. However, I had something else in store. I happened upon this idea over the summer at one of my favorite blogs, 4th Grade Frolics and couldn't wait to tell the kids. I had a stuffed hamster (which I bought from Amazon) and journal (made from a composition book) inside a small backpack and I explained that they would take turns taking the hamster home. Their reaction to this news was the most adorable thing I have seen in a long time (and I spend my day with adorable!). They were so cute! You would have thought I had introduced a penguin as a class pet! I asked what they wanted to name the hamster and they decided he had to be Humphrey. My first kid brought back Humphrey and the journal yesterday and sat in the Author's Chair to read his journal entry. Again, so cute! I loved the way he wrote from Humphrey's perspective. I have a feeling this will be one of the highlights of our year and I want to thank Tara from 4th Grade Frolic for sharing this wonderful idea!

Linky Party Writing Tips

Gosh, blogging twice in one day!  But I just had to join the Linky Party I found at Teaching Blog Addict to share a Writing Tip. I've been blogging about writing for the last 4 days and have challenged myself to share 10 lessons. But tips about writing is a whole other ball of wax, so here are two writing tips! 


During the conference part of my Writers' Workshop students may meet with student editors. The editors wear visors (and I must say they wear them in some very creative ways! - The baby bonnet is my favorite!) so my kids can quickly scan the room to find an editor. 

My other tip is

a Publishing Journey. When I first started Writers' Workshop I was overwhelmed with the idea of kids going through the writing process independently. I thought I would spend all my instructional time giving directions to answer "What do I do next?" I read a book (Classroom Strategies That Work: An Elementary Teacher's Guide to Process Writing by Ruth Nathan) that talked about Publishing Journeys. This was the missing link for me - it makes my workshop work. The one I'm sharing below (click on the graphic) is what I use now though it has evolved a lot over time. Hope someone can use it!

Be sure to check out the Linky Party at Teacher Blog Addict for lots of other terrific ideas about writing.


And check out my other posts about writing:
Starting Off the Year the Write Way Day 1 - Topics
Day 2 - Prewriting
Day 3 - Ideas and Content Lesson: Focus and Zoom In
Day 4 - Organization: Conclusions


Happy Writing!

Authors' Night!

I always end the year with an Author's Night.  The kids read one of the stories they have written during the year, get an award, give autographs, and then enjoy treats at a reception.  It's my favorite event of the year. The kids feel special, important, and FAMOUS!  Here's what this year's invitation looks like:

For the award, I collect Starbuck's Frappucino bottles all year. I spray paint them gold, glue a spray painted gold pine cone on the top and decorate the bottle. (I've had seniors come back and tell me they still have their Golden Cone Award.) Here's the award for this year:

 I give all kinds of awards like: Favorite Pet Story, Best Voice, Best Imagination, Greatest Non-Fiction Writing, etc.  The funniest part of the night are the kids' thank you speeches - just like the Oscars!  We have a blast! 


Is there something special you celebrate at the end of the year? Please share!