As teachers, we know how important it is that our students enjoy writing. That’s why I love using Writer’s Workshop! It allows students to be active writers while encouraging their imagination and creativity! I always love to use read alouds when starting a new routine in the classroom. Check out my favorite books to use as mentor texts to launch Writer’s Workshop!
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The Best Story
The Best Story is great for exploring the many different types of stories there are. The main character in the story is determined to win the local library’s contest to “write the best story”, so she asks her family members what the best stories are. However, they all have different answers! Her dad likes humor, while her brother likes action, and so on. However, we learn that the best story is the one we come up with.
Ralph Tells A Story
Raise your hand if you have ever had a student say, “But I have nothing to write about…!” If you could see me, I am definitely raising both hands, and would raise more if I could! Ralph Tells a Story is perfect for the students in your class that never seem to have anything to write about. Ralph, the main character, feels that way too. Nothing happens to him. However, he learns from reading his classmates’ stories that a story does not have to be something big, but can be about something small as well.
Arthur Writes A Story
Arthur always has a lesson in his stories, and this one is no different! In Arthur Writes a Story, everyone in Arthur’s class is writing an interesting story, but what’s Arthur doing? Will he figure out what story to write?
A Squiggly Story
This story reminds me so much of my 3 year old right now. He wants to be so much like his 5 year old brother when they sit down to draw pictures. He sees his older brother writing and labeling his picture and he wants to be able to do that “just like William”! A Squiggly Story is also the perfect story for any kid who says, “But I can’t spell it” and then stops writing. I love how the boy in this story started creating a story, just from one letter.
Rocket Writes A Story
In Rocket Writes a Story, Rocket is like so many students who want to write, but have no idea what to write about. The little yellow bird, who appears in other Rocket stories, encourages Rocket to explore. While Rocket explores, he finds small things that he never noticed before, which helps him write a story.
One Day, The End
This book is fun because it includes multiple, very short stories. The art really tells the story in One Day, The End, but it will help students realize that stories are so much more than just words and that illustrations play a huge role as well.
The Plot Chickens
Henrietta loved to read books so much, that she decided to write one. Her aunts gave her advice what to include in her story. The Plot Chickens teaches some writing rules to your students in a fun, engaging way.
Ish
This book, Ish, teaches our writers to take risks. The main character, Ramon, drew freely and how he wanted before his brother made a remark. Then, Ramon didn’t enjoy drawing because he couldn’t get it “right”. His sister helped him see that there’s more than getting it all “just right”.
The Dot
The Dot also teaches our writers to take risks when writing. Vashti, the main character, “can’t draw”. She makes a dot on her paper, which begins her artful journey.
I hope you enjoyed this list of books for launching Writer’s Workshop! As you need to refresh your Writer’s Workshop routines throughout the year, reread these books with your class to get back on track.
If you’re looking for more ideas on teaching writing, make sure to check out these blog posts:
5 Strategies For Teaching Writing When You Keep Running Out Of Time
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