Writing Slices with Students

Slice of Life ChallengePlease join the challenge over at Two Writing Teachers!

I'm introducing my students to writing slices. I introduced them to one of my slices about my childhood bedroom. We talked about what makes an interesting story and how to include important details. I read them a couple of stories out of Knucklehead to show them how Jon Scieszka wrote funny stories about chores and playing outside with friends. Before we started writing, we searched our memories for stories. I shared the map from Ralph Fletcher's book Marshfield Dreams and had them draw a map of a place that's important and filled with their own stories.
During one class, I created my own map. 

I drew my Grammy & Papa's house. We spent every Sunday over there after church. As I began sketching, the memories came flooding back! Running into the house through the screened porch and trying to remember not to let the door slam. Grammy leaving treats for my sister and I on the kitchen shelves. Sitting around the table and listening to the history of our family and the yelling and the laughter. I remember the red plaid chair that was Papa's chair. I remember sitting in that living room watching Doug Flutie through the Hail Mary pass six years before I'd decide to attend Boston College. Those rooms filled with memories and love and the smell of garlic and the feel of hugs!! 

Sorry, I got carried away. Each of those memories could become it's own slice. Today, my slice is about memories and maps and family and students finding their own slices. I hope that they have as much enthusiasm about their topics as I've found in mine. 

I shared the map of Facebook and the comments from my mom and my aunts and my sister made me smile. They remembered details I'd forgotten. Yet another reason I love writing...it brings families together.