Today our reading and writing worlds collided. In reading, we’ve been studying point of view and how the perspective can really impact the story. In writing, we’ve been immersing ourselves in mentor texts to learn about the characteristics of a memoir.

Our focus today was having the expert point of view in memoir writing. Authors of memoirs are able to share memories with such vivid detail and description because they lived the memory. From any other point of view, the memory would look, feel and sound different.

After sharing our mentor text, and a writing sample, students were asked to look at their list of memories they’ve been keeping in their binders, choose one, and write. Afterward, we shared. I am continually impressed by your children as they have no fear in sharing very drafty pieces of writing with their peers. How amazing to see such strong confidence so early in the school year. It shows the trust they have in themselves and each other.

The pieces/lists/ideas they wrote today may end up being their published pieces, or they may choose another memory to focus on. Stay tuned! 🙂