Diving Deeply into the Writing Life

Developing Writers through a “Close Study” Approach

of Literature and Informational Texts

Shannon D. Collins, Ph.D.

READ ALOUD“Where I’m From”

By George Ella Lyon

THE FOLLOWING “EXTRAS” ARE FOR LEARNERS OR TEACHERS

IF/WHEN THEY WANT TO MAKE FURTHER CONNECTIONS

George Ella Lyon Website(http://www.georgeellalyon.com/index.html)

Interview with George Ella Lyon(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0IwGrrwJM)

Article about George Ella Lyonhttp://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/26/2272141/george-ella-lyon-has-two-

books.html

George Ella Lyon Reads “Where I’m From”http://www.georgeellalyon.com/audio/where.mp3

Read Like Writers

“I learned how to write from writers. I didn’t know any personally, but I read.” -Cynthia Rylant

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Read Like Writers“I say that the way one learns to write is by

reading and developing a passion for language.” -Lois Lowry

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Close Study Framework

Gathering Texts Setting the Stage Immersion Close Study Writing Under the Influence

Gathering Texts Text Reality High Interest Readability Representative Obvious, ACTIVE Crafting Stance(SOME OF THE TEXTS (“MEMOIR POEMS”) SHANNON USES WITH HIS 8TH GRADE CLASSES ARE AS FOLLOWS):

Carl Sandburg: “Chicago”George Ella Lyon: “Where I’m From”Little Big Town: “Boondocks”

Setting the Stage Begin with End in Mind Layer Choice Deadlines

Immersion Teacher Read Alouds Practice Intentional Noticing Student Readings (Readers Theatre)

Close StudyWhat did we notice about how these texts are

written?[Close Study Form]

Writing Under the Influence

What appears when we begin free writing?

OH, TEACHERS, PLEASE REMEMBER: YOUR LEARNERS’ WRITING WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY

MORE POWERFUL IF YOU WRITE WITH THEM IN ORDER TO MODEL AND TO GUIDE!

Writing Under the Influence

HOT OFF THE PRESS EXAMPLESKendall

(Student_Kyle_Cookeville)

Ella(Student_Ella_Perfect Place for Me)

Contact Information

Shannon D. Collins, Ph.D.Cornerstone Middle School

931-858-6601scollins2@pcsstn.com