Generating Topics: ______’s Stories To Tell
Procedures in my classroom:
1. Students are given blank copies of ______’s Stories To Tell
2. I explain that we are going to brainstorm topic ideas for our writing using the following categories (teacher decides on age appropriate categories)
Examples: Firsts
Laughing Matters
Sad Times
Scary Times
Embarrassing Moments
Times When I Got In Trouble
People In my Life
3. Using the overhead, I label the first category. I normally list one category at a time and work with that one until complete, then move to the next category. This helps students focus on the category at hand and not move ahead. For older students it might work better to list all categories and give them time to brainstorm all categories then share.
4. I explain to my students that they will have 2-3 minutes to write down as many ideas and topics that fit under this category. What they write must be something from their personal experiences.
Examples: “Firsts”
kiss
bike
date
day of school
dance
book
boyfriend/girlfriend
best friend
vacation
move
pet
5. When time is up, I have students share topics from their list. This is important because hearing other people’s ideas might jog their memory. I let the students know that it is okay to write down ideas others have if they have had a similar experience. It is not cheating.
6. I continue with the rest of the categories in the same way.
7. Once all categories are complete students select one topic to share with a partner. They share for 4 minutes then switch and the other partner shares his or her story.
8. When time is up, I send students back to their seats and ask them to think about their stories. Did discussing it with a partner bring back more vivid memories and details? Did you know what you were talking about? Did your partner understand what you were talking about? Did this have real value and meaning? Can you write the story you just told your partner?
9. I allow several students to share their stories. At first students might be shy or reluctant, so to build trust and community, I usually go first and share one of my stories from my list. I choose something that would be considered taking a risk (something embarrassing or very emotional).
10. I close by simple stating that we all have very interesting stories to share from our everyday lives. They do not have to be life changing events, or amazing happenings. It is easier and most important that we write about what we know.
11. I explain that the topics on our papers are not the only ones, nor are these the only categories. I put blank copies in the materials center so that as new things happen and/or students think of different categories, they can add them to their existing lists.
12. I send them off to write about the story they shared with a partner or any other story they would like to write about.
13. I hold them accountable for adding to their lists, writing about different topics and writing in different genres by checking notebooks and discussing topic lists during writing conferences.