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The Gift of Writing


As the school year begins, I happily return to my blog. Routine helps my writing habit, so here I am...excited to share!

 As each year begins, I share my love of writing and notebooks with my students. It's an idea I first got from Stacey Shubitz, a brilliant teacher! I get a notebook for each student and wrap it as a gift. It takes a long time to finish, especially as I teach over one hundred students now, but it's so worth it. The experience is memorable and the students know how much I value writing and the notebook. 

 This year I changed the routine a bit. Inside the notebook, I include a poem that I wrote for them...each student gets the poem from me taped onto the front page. I added something new. 

 At the end of last year, I asked my students to write words of wisdom or advice for the new students. THAT seemed to put the gift over the top for students this year. 


 The students guess what's in the wrapped package, a spiral notebook, but it doesn't matter. Even seventh-graders appreciate the time and effort put into the presentation. Once the students opened the gift, some of them got right to using the notebook, while others designed the covers. 

 I can't wait to see what this year brings! Whatever it is...we will write about in the pages of our notebooks!
Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
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Comments

  1. Kathleen Neagle SokolowskiAugust 27, 2019 at 6:34 AM

    I am SO glad to see you back here, Michelle! I've really missed you in this space. I am so impressed with the time and expense this must all involve. It sends an extremely powerful message that the students are valued as well as the writing. I love that you included words of wisdom from past students. That is a brilliant idea! Wishing you the best in this new school year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erika VictorAugust 27, 2019 at 8:18 AM

    What an awesome way to start and I LOVE the words from your previous students! Lucky kiddos! I loved the video of the opening you shared.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stacey ShubitzAugust 27, 2019 at 4:14 PM

    I love that my post from long ago is still living on and touching other students' lives. (BTW: I got the idea from a teacher named Jen Barney. I thought it was brilliant!) Having a little note or poem tucked in makes it even nicer once that wrapping paper is removed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MaureenAugust 27, 2019 at 7:30 PM

    These notebooks are so beautiful! What an incredible touch, to add a poem. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete

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