"Getting To Know Authors" Ellen, Primary Grade Teacher: Circleville, NY

"Each month “feature” an author in your room. You can post a picture of an author or print the author’s name and display it in a corner of your room. Also display the author’s books. You can tell the students about the life of the author. Make this person real to the children. You focus on this author’s writings for 2 weeks. Read the author’s books and displays them in this corner. Students can look for more works of this author when they go to the library. You can help the students to find common themes in the books, pictures that the author likes in the books, common characters, etc. Students begin to develop a preference for reading works by particular authors."

"Ways to Share Students' Writing" Joanne, 3rd-4th Grade Teacher: Fargo, North Dakota

"When students share their writing, they begin to think of themselves as authors and it validates their thoughts. Ways that students can share their writing include; reading alound in class; submit their work to writing contests; make a big book; read at a school assembly; read to foster grandparents; read the writing on a cassette tape or produce a video tape; design a poster; make a hardbound book and display it in the school library; contribute to a local newspaper; share in the form of a puppet show; through class anthologies. Writing can be shared to large audiences or small groups or one-on-one."

"Journal Writing" Barbara, 5th Grade Teacher: Columbus, Ohio

"A good way to reinforce writing is to require that students write in journals. I do this with all my students especially after lessons that require reflections on the topics we covered. It gets students to think about what we talked about and it gets them to unleash their ideas about the topic in a non-threatening way. I do check the journals because I want to know how students are approaching the topics we learn about in class. It also gives me insight into how much they have processed and to what extent. Journal writing is a good way to get students to write what they are truly thinking."

"Always Use the Writing Process" Eric, Elementary School Teacher: Sydney, Australia

"Always use 5 steps to writing when asking children to complete a writing assignment. Start with Pre-Writing; get the students to gather ideas for writing on any given topic from experience, past knowledge and having the time to talk about the topic. The second step involves Drafting; students begin to write what they think is importatn and that should be included. Step three is Revising; students check the draft and decide what stays and what goes. Fourth is Editing; students check for spelling, punctuation; and other mechanical considerations. The final copy is then prepared. The fifth and final step is Publication; students share their writing with an audience of choice. Following the five steps will help students to write more effectively and appreciate what they produce."

"Poems as Motivators to Write" Richard Roy, Intermediate Grade Teacher: Denver, CO

"Pick a poem that tells a story or that you know would be of interest to the student population you are teaching. After reading the poem, ask the students what the poem makes them think about. Encourage different lines of thought and perspective by asking probing questions that are designed to help the children elaborate on their thoughts. Then encourage the students to write some of their thoughts evoked by the poem. Explain to them that many poems expressive feelings and that poems can stimulate thoughts and emotions in others."