Here is her 2nd book. It is titled "Everyone"

We already have a kindergarten author! She wrote a book about ME! :)

Chapter 8 Precision & Detail, In Pictures & Words

Details! Wow do I say this word A LOT! Add detail, what else can we add??? Do you have purple skin?---we really focus on realistic details when we are drawing people.. Do you have a nose? How many legs do you have? Tattoos & nose rings would definitely catch my kids' attention! The text of "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate, also follows this pattern of providing the reader with awesome details.

 

 

 

There is that parallel again, "Illustrators use the same basic understandings about the power of detail that good writers use when they craft written texts." (132)

This is an awesome quote, " That could almost be cited as the definition of a poet: Someone who notices & is enormously taken by things that someone else would walk by." (135) It's all about noticing! :)

 

Crafting Details from the World of Nature---

Great way to hit science TEKS! We make a book for living/non-living organisms late in the year.

Showing the Effects of Weather on a Scene-

Of course we study weather in Kindergarten so here is another great idea to add to our book of writing & incorporate science. :)

 

Chapter 7 Ideas & Content, In Pictures and In Words

Chapter 7 has been the longest chapter so far but really the FASTEST read because it provides authentic examples I can envision myself using in the classroom.

I love the simplicity of the example Ray provided, Henkes' book Birds, there are definitely techniques within this book that kindergartners could try! This would also be a good text to practice inferencing.

Idea work has been a little difficult for some kids. I can always give them suggestions but it is so much more fun & exciting when they come up with their own ideas. Many times, one student will tell their idea & then 5 copy it! Which is fine, but I look forward to the end of the year when they have had many more experiences & are able to express these ideas in their compositions.

On pg 96, Ray points out the parallel between writing & illustrating again- "At its most basic, writing relies on the writer's ability to generate ideas. At its most basic, illustrating relies on the illustrator's ability to generate ideas." Writers & illustrators make so many of the same decisions when composing & have to branch out from their original ideas to create content.  I am excited to do more think alouds this year. I think this will help my kids understand more why I made the decisions I did in my compositions.

I want to start asking the kids all the questions provided on pg 97 BEFORE they begin independent composition:
What, exactly, will I picture in my picture?
Will I use a single illustration, or multiple, separate vignette illustrations?
Will I zoom in very close or zoom out & show a wide angle? (perspective- I love the Hemingway passage!)
Will I picture my subject from the front or the back? From the side, perhaps? From above or below?
How much background detail will I use for the central image? Lots, or none at all? If none at all, should I leave it white, or use another color?
Will I stick close to the words, or will my illustration extend them in some significant way?

My favorite thing about the techniques provided is the "In a Teacher's Voice: An Idea for Trying It Out". These SPECIFIC, concrete examples give me great ways to incorporate the techniques.

Crafting with Positioning Perspective- this sounds so much like studying the various writing structures in Ray's Writing Workshop book. The illustrations that tell the position are focused around prepositions which is an important ELA concept taught in kindergarten. :)

I love the technique of showing two sides of a physical space---some ways I'm thinking of helping my students use this---a window, mirror, water reflection, ray of light/sun...

Using scenes to show movement through different places---This is a great way to teach sequence of events!

Manipulating Point of View for Effect---My kids did this last year with captions. I showed them funny animal captions on the internet that went with various photographs. Then they created their own captions to go with pictures. THIS WAS A HILARIOUS LESSON! :)

Writing Workshop With Our Youngest Writers

I recently completed an awesome online course. Here is the description: This course will consist of an online book study of Katie Wood Ray's About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers. For this particular book study, our target audience is teachers that work with PreK and Preschool children.  Through this 3 week study you will learn how to launch and maintain a writing workshop for your young authors.  Along the way, you will share your learning and reflections with your peers, along with a small project consisting of student work.  Join us as we learn to nourish writing right from the start!

Our final assignment was to upload an example of student work. This course was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures of one student's book.

My Book of Writing 

The Duck is swimming in the water. The other duck came to play with him. He says let’s play basketball.

Tornado Drill

First we lined up quietly.

Then we sat on our knees facing the wall.

Last we put a book over our heads.

Living and Nonliving

First we got our supplies. Next we found a nonliving thing and put it in a bag.

Last we found a living thing and drew a picture of it.

The Best Recess Ever

My best recess was about eating popsicles. And the color was strawberry. Tasted good when I ate it. It was so good. 

My Nana

My Nana gives me breakfast every day in the morning. When I see her I will tell her I love you and give her a hug. 

Don’t Throw Me Away

Think before you throw something away. But don’t throw me away. Because I could be mad out of something. 

They put words & pictures that rhymed with cat, dog, pan, star under the appropriate page. 

Kinds of Insects

Butterfly

My Favorite Food

My favorite food is spaghetti. It is my favorite food because it’s so good. Because it’s yummy.

Rhyming Flip Book