Introducing this workbook to a class.

I want my students to be fired up about writing. When I introduce writing, I don't want the moans and groans I want enthusiasm. 
(*note-I have their names written on the top and down the spine of the book before handing them out. I also put colored dots on the spines so that they can find theirs easily among the classes when stored on a book shelf)

This is a brief synopsis of how I introduced this workbook to my classes. The class is usually around a half hour long.

1) I hand the workbooks out and tell the students to keep them closed and study the cover.

2) I then ask them who this book is by? Most will start off saying something like,"Oh! Mrs.Keppol it's by you." To which I answer, "No,check again." It only takes a few seconds before they realize that the book is by them. Then I say,"I only made the graphic organizers in this book. You are going to write the book....Hummm. What is a graphic organizer?"

3) Next we discuss graphic organizers as being visual places to help us organize our thoughts. I show them three or four posters of graphic organizers that they are familiar with. I hold up a Venn diagram, a KWL chart, a story map, and a story web.I ask them to raise their hands if they have seen these before and ask them what they are helping us organize our thoughts to do.We discuss each one briefly and  then say that Blank Pages is going to help us organize our thoughts to write memoirs.

4) We then discuss what a memoir is, how it is different from an autobiography and how this book is going to be easy for them to write because they know the subject matter. I can't write this book because I don't know enough about them. I am really excited that I get to learn about them, from reading what they write this year.

(*They have still not opened the book and the above is less than five minutes of talking- I move it really fast.)

5) I tell them, "Guess what? this is not a kids book." I pause and tell them I wrote this for adults. I know at least ten adult writers that are using this book and at least three have written children's books based on the activities inside. I ask them what age you have to be to be a writer? this is really eye opening for students. They can publish a book now, and that they will be treated as adults in this writing class. We are here to improve our writing and even adults want to do that. I will be practicing too.

6) Next, I tell them that I wrote this book for my son. I ask them what one of my favorite things to do is. It may take them a few guesses but then they always get to writing. I say, "Yes! And that is why I was so sad when I learned that my son hated to write." (Kids are always sympathetic, because I really act this out.) I then ask them a really important question. "Why don't people like to write?"
If you have time with your class, write the list as they tell you ideas. It is really powerful to see. Then I tell them that I was so upset over my son that I interviewed hundreds of people, kids and adults, and asked them why they don't like to write. The number one answer? They are afraid,they will do it wrong.

7) I tell them they can't do it wrong. I will not be correcting spelling or worrying about mistakes right now. That is not writing that is a  different process which involves editing, proofreading, revising, or publishing. All of which we will be doing later. Right now we will just be having fun getting our stories written down.

8) Next, I tell them they have two minutes to picture walk through their new books and look for pages that look like they might be fun to do. I time them and then have them share their favorites.

9) After all of that, I pass out permanent markers and tell them that I want them to personalize their covers. They should add doodles that represent them. Remember that this book is about their memoirs so we want doodles that have to do with them. I show them my book which I have added many things to the cover like: books, dragons, my kids and families names, an armadillo, the moon, instruments and music notes, art supplies and happy children. I remind them their doodles should have to do with them. We finish the lesson happily coloring our covers.