|
|
 Unlikely Diary Keepers
reporting on learned facts with an unusual "Dear Diary" scenario
The writing of authors Doreen Cronin inspired student writers to try new techniques with the traits of idea development and voice.
By visiting this lesson's Teacher Instructions & Lesson Resources page, you will find even more samples that can be printed for your class to be used as discussion tools during the teaching of this lesson.
Your students can self-publish their writing to this prompt by clicking here. |
Student Sample: Early Elementary
From "Diary of a Frog "
interactively written by Mrs. Black's kindergarten class
March 1
I don't use my tongue for eating. I use my sticky tongue to play checkers.
March 6
When I was a todpole, I ate algae. Now I am a frog and I eat crickets.
March 7
When the kids are gone, I invite turtle over to play Leap Frog.
You can print Mrs. Black's interactive charts to share with your class by visiting the Teacher Resource Page that comes with this lesson.
|
Student Sample: Upper Elementary
 From "Diary of a Seahorse"
by Maddie, fourth grade writer
(Maddie reads her story aloud at her local Barnes and Noble Bookstore at left)
October 1
Dear Diary,
Can’t wait till tomorrow because we’re all starting to order our costumes because it will take a while for Mom and Dad to get the costumes on us, and the whale man said we should order them soon because it is going to take 3 weeks for the creatures to make them.
Oh yeah, today while I was taking a swim, I saw a seahorse having babies and the babies gather together after they are born. It was interesting. One other thing: half of my brothers and sisters are short mouth seahorses, and the other half are long mouth seahorses because mom married a short mouth seahorse and she is a long mouth seahorse.
Sincerely,
Emma (the seahorse)
You can print Maddie's entire 10-day diary to share with your class by visiting the Teacher Resource Page that comes with this lesson.
|
Student Sample: Middle School
 From the "Diary of a Trident Splash Strawberry and Lime Flavored Piece of Gum Named Max"
by Autumn, eighth grade writer
Saturday, Oct. 13th
Dear Diary,
I can’t believe it. I was actually bought today. This girl and her mom came in and purchased me at the check out counter. I think the girl’s name must be Jessica, because I heard her mom call her Jessie. But anyway, Jessie put me in her purse. I’m so happy, and I just can’t wait to be chewed! But sometimes, I can’t think why anyone would buy me. I mean, I know that North American kids spend more than a half billion dollars on gum each year and all, but why would they pick me? Trident Splash isn’t very popular, especially ‘cause I’m not pink. But, oh well. Jessie bought me, stuck me in her purse and walked out of the store with me, so I must be popular with her.
Love,
Your excited friend, Max
You can print Autumn's entire 10-day diary to share with your class by visiting the Teacher Resource Page that comes with this lesson.
|
Student Sample: High School
 From "Ski Slope Diaries "
by Nicholas, eleventh grade writer
December 11
Dear Diary,
So I finally made it up the slopes with my family and friends and was ready to head down the hill. Unfortunately, my father who majored in physics and mathematics forced us to understand the slopes before we could have fun. He told us the equation he came up for the slope was 2/5x – y = 3, and in order to ski, we had to find the slope-intercept form. Luckily for me, I remembered the slope-intercept form was y = mx + b, and
m = slope and b = y-intercept. 
2/5x – y = 3
-y = -2/5x +3
y = 2/5x – 3
slope = 2/5
y-intercept = -3
You can print other Ski Slope Diary entries to share with your class by visiting the Teacher Resource Page that comes with this lesson.
|
|
