Slice of Life: Student Centered Topic Generation

I see them huddled by their cubbies, in the library and in corners of the classroom.  They are talking, looking, exchanging, and asking questions.  I inch my way towards them to check out what is going on.  They are hosting small group “show and tells.”

I experienced this type of scene in almost every elementary school I visited this fall.  Kids are so excited to bring their special objects into school after two years.  Covid policies restricted kids from bringing in objects from home in many districts.  I forgot just how important this ritual is to our young learners.  As always, when we center kids our instruction is more powerful and engaging.

Objects are a great way to discover writing topics.  Writers think about a time when they were with an object, all about an object, how to use an object, their opinion about an object, and an image or feeling they have about an object.  We have been using students’ objects during writer’s workshop and they couldn’t be more excited about it. 

Here are just some narrative mentor texts about important objects that I have been using in K-5 classrooms:

Let the kids’ interests lead the way!

With book love,

Clare