Not
long ago, during a school visit in Rhode Island, fourth graders said something
that shocked me. According to them, choosing a topic is the hardest part of the
nonfiction writing process. Seriously. They found it completely overwhelming.
I’ve
heard students and teachers talk about this struggle before, but never so adamantly
and with such resignation. And frankly, I was baffled.
heard students and teachers talk about this struggle before, but never so adamantly
and with such resignation. And frankly, I was baffled.
For
me, ideas are everywhere. They come from books and articles I read, conversations
with other people, places I visit, and experiences I have. The hard part isn’t
getting ideas. It’s keeping track of them, so that I can pick one when it’s
time to start writing a new book.
me, ideas are everywhere. They come from books and articles I read, conversations
with other people, places I visit, and experiences I have. The hard part isn’t
getting ideas. It’s keeping track of them, so that I can pick one when it’s
time to start writing a new book.
That’s
why I have an idea board in my office. Anytime I have an idea, I write it on a
scrap of paper and tack it up there. Some of those ideas lead nowhere, but
others turn into books.
why I have an idea board in my office. Anytime I have an idea, I write it on a
scrap of paper and tack it up there. Some of those ideas lead nowhere, but
others turn into books.
Young
writers could mimic this by having an idea board in their classroom.
Alternately, they could write ideas on the inside back cover of their writing
notebook.
writers could mimic this by having an idea board in their classroom.
Alternately, they could write ideas on the inside back cover of their writing
notebook.
If
a teacher gives students an umbrella topic, such as the Revolutionary War, the children
can use the ideas they’ve recorded to brainstorm narrowly-focused ideas, such
as what soldiers ate during the Revolutionary War, what kind of clothes soldiers wore during the Revolutionary War, or
medical practices during the Revolutionary War.
a teacher gives students an umbrella topic, such as the Revolutionary War, the children
can use the ideas they’ve recorded to brainstorm narrowly-focused ideas, such
as what soldiers ate during the Revolutionary War, what kind of clothes soldiers wore during the Revolutionary War, or
medical practices during the Revolutionary War.
There
could also be a classroom idea jar
for struggling students, or children could participate in ABC brainstorming to
home in on a specific topic.
could also be a classroom idea jar
for struggling students, or children could participate in ABC brainstorming to
home in on a specific topic.
Do
you have other ideas that could help young writers select a topic for a report?
you have other ideas that could help young writers select a topic for a report?
Most Popular Posts
Resignation
37 Comments
Re-thinking “E” Is for Everyone
34 Comments
We Need Diverse Nonfiction
31 Comments
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
28 Comments
Behind the Books: Does Story Appeal to Everyone?
27 Comments
10 STEM Picture Books
25 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Melissa Stewart
22 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Deborah Heiligman
19 Comments
Is It Fiction or Nonfiction? A Twitterchat
19 Comments
5 Kinds of Nonfiction, Book Lists
18 Comments
Topics
Most Popular Posts
Resignation
37 Comments
Re-thinking “E” Is for Everyone
34 Comments
We Need Diverse Nonfiction
31 Comments
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
28 Comments
Behind the Books: Does Story Appeal to Everyone?
27 Comments
10 STEM Picture Books
25 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Melissa Stewart
22 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Deborah Heiligman
19 Comments
Is It Fiction or Nonfiction? A Twitterchat
19 Comments
5 Kinds of Nonfiction, Book Lists
18 Comments