A Chapter Book Writing Lesson from WritingFix
Focus Trait: WORD CHOICE Support Trait: IDEA DEVELOPMENT

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Memories that Inspire your own Moment Like This

memoir writing inspired by Milkweed's
powerful first chapter

The writing of author Jerry Spinelli is inspiring student writers to try new techniques with the traits of word choice and idea development.

Your students can self-publish their writing done to this lesson by clicking here.


Student Sample Being Sought: Upper Elementary

WritingFix is currently seeking a 4th-6th grade student sample from this writing assignment that can be featured in this space. Submitted student work must show evidence of revision, editing, and the final draft must be typed and sent through e-mail. Teachers: if you can help us obtain up to three student samples, along with a digital photo of the students and a signed permission slips, we will send you either a complimentary copy of the Northern Nevada Writing Project's Elementary Writing Guide, or you may choose from any of our NNWP publications.

Write to us at publish@writingfix.com and use "Milkweed" in your e-mail's subject line, if you have a student sample to share with us.


Student Sample: Middle School

The Furry Surprise
by Lyndsey, seventh grade writer

My heart was pounding with anxiousness. I was running down the stairs, and there underneath the Christmas tree, I saw a puppy. I didn’t realize until afterwards, but I had been screaming the moment I saw the dog. My excitement had taken over my eight-year-old little body, and before I knew it, I was downstairs trying to pick up the furry surprise. He was black, furry, chubby, and to top it off, there was a red bow tied around his neck. As I was complimenting all of his greatest features, I felt a sudden pain in my arm and looked down to see the puppy’s teeth sinking into my skin. I yelped “Aaaah!”

The next thing on my mind was what am I going to name this rambunctious pup. It didn’t matter what my mom, my dad, or my brother wanted to name him; I felt that I was in charge. My friend had always named her pets after presidents—like Lincoln, Hayes, and Madison—so I thought that was a wonderful idea and in my head started to come up with president names. As if it just struck me, I came up with the perfect name.

“ Franklin,” I shouted. Franklin Roosevelt Anderson sounded grand to me!

After that, I went outside in the powdery snow and played with Franklin. I stuck my tongue out and on it plopped a snowflake. At that moment, I was the happiest eight-year-old girl alive. Franklin and I romped around; I didn’t even care that inside my other Christmas presents awaited me.

That moment, was the starting of a friendship that has lasted me ever since. My puppy is no longer a puppy, but he is a dog. Although his maturity and size may have changed, the bond we have together is unbreakable.

(Click here to view/print Lindsey and three of her classmates' memoirs)


Student Sample Being Sought: High School

WritingFix is currently seeking a 9th-12th grade student sample from this writing assignment that can be featured in this space. Submitted student work must show evidence of revision, editing, and the final draft must be typed and sent through e-mail. Teachers: if you can help us obtain up to three student samples, along with a digital photo of the students and a signed permission slips, we will send you either a complimentary copy of the Northern Nevada Writing Project's Secondary Writing Guide, or you may choose from any of our NNWP publications.

Write to us at publish@writingfix.com and use "Milkweed" in your e-mail's subject line, if you have a student sample to share with us.

 


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