My goal was to develop discussion with a group of kids that had been indoctrinated in HM worksheet regurgitation. They hadn't been read to in a year or two. We used the books to develop community, and open lines of discussion. I used her books for my think alouds to introduce reading strategies. I work in a very impoverished part of town, and many of my kids made wonderful text connections. I used the books to teach response formats.
Then I turned around and used the books again as mentor texts as we began Writer's Workshop. Her writing isn't flamboyant. It's just powerful. I have the kids use her stories to build author's palettes. (per Henry Nodin in Image Grammar). While she is far from the only author I read to the kids, she's the one I begin with. I still go back to her books when I need a demo of good writer's craft. I have a lesson coming up on powerful leads. Her books are the ones I go back to. I hope this helps. Kim -- Kimberlee Hannan Department Chair Sequoia Middle School Fresno, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
