Writer's+Notebook

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 * The Writer's Notebook**

Students need a place to record their ideas and strategies they have learned from mini-lessons so they can refer to them anytime they are struggling with some aspect of writing. Here is an example of what the layout should look like.

an effective introduction or combing sentences to gain more rhythm). ||
 * **Pages** || **Section Title** || **Purpose** ||
 * 1-3 || Table of Contents || Students keep track of all mini-lessons taught so they can refer to them at a glance. ||
 * 4-10 || What Should I Write? || In this section students leave pages where we will do a number of brainstorming activities for those times when they claim they have nothing to write. ||
 * 10-12 || Writing/Literary Terms || These pages are where students write key writing and literary terms and their definitions. If they forget what "discourse" or "irony" means, for example, they refer to these pages. These terms are gradually added as we progress through the year. ||
 * 13 || Spelling Demons || Students keep these pages open to track their personal spelling demons. ||
 * 14-40 || Craft || This section is reserved for "craft" mini-lessons. "Craft" is defined as those things good writers do (e.g., writing
 * 41-65 || Editing || This section is reserved for editing mini-lessons. Editing lessons focus on mistakes writers make (e.g., run-on sentences or improper citations). ||
 * 66+ || Writing || This is the heart of the writer's notebook. Much like the artist's easel or the hoopster's gym, this is where the writer plays with writing on a daily basis. ||

(Gallagher)

note: for more ideas Gallagher recommends Aimee Buckner's //Notebook Know-How// (2005)

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