Today was the first day back after a three-week Winter Break. Mondays are short days, so there was no focus lesson to remind them of all we learned “last year”. I simply said, “Please start Independent Writing.” At Share, WriterH showed this and said, “So many things happened, I needed to pick 1 thing to write about first.”
Be still my heart. It has become an integrated part of her writing process.
WriterT often sits and thinks about what to write about. Seems to spend a lot of time thinking and not much writing. A week ago, I sat with him and had him tell me his story. I showed him how to use his hand to track the parts of the story. Then, I had him retell the story to me before writing–using his fingers and putting them down after he told that part. Today he was telling himself a story before writing and using his hand to track the parts. I asked him if it helped–big smile and huge nod.
WriterP had an exciting morning (flat tire) and wanted to write about it, but he also wanted to finish yesterday’s story. So during Quiet Time (when he could have been doing anything–coloring, playing a math game, reading) he wanted to use the blocks for the new story, so he wouldn’t forget the parts before he got to write it. So he is using the blocks as a repository/holding tank for his story planning.
Today, with no prompting, WriterP went and got the blocks and started planning out the parts of his story.
This is supposed to be for teachers to write on as a reminder of what was discussed during a conference. I think WriterM decided that “Show not Tell” was so important that he would write it in himself! I think the circle with the ‘x’ through it is supposed to stand for the 
sign that I always put through ‘Tell’ on charts in the room.
WriterJ completed this graphic organizer today to help her “zoom in”. Her choice. Told me she planned to just write about getting the kids food.
WriterP using blocks on his own to include all of the parts of his story “When I Was Sick”.
WriterF wrote this story today. He zoomed in on 1 topic and included all relevant parts!! High-fives all around!!
The Organizer first worked on “parts” with him 7 days ago (Journal #10 ).
Today, the Organizer used Thinkblocks with WriterP to help him plan the parts of the story. I had done it previously with him and transferred it to his hand with fingers as “parts”, but he continued to struggle. He didn’t finish the story. Kept the blocks intact. Will give to him tomorrow to see if it helps him get started on his own finishing his story Waking Up Late.
