WRITER'S WORKSHOP MINI LESSONS

Labeling our Stories

Lesson 1: What Labels Are

Gather students around the carpet area.

Tell students that today's book will help us all to become better writers.

Share the title of the book.

Ask, "What is a quilt?  Does anyone here have a quilt at home?"

If possible, bring in a quilt, to show the class what one looks like, feels like, etc.

Read Cassie's Word Quilt by Faith Ringgold.

While reading, show students the illustrations.

When finished, close the book.

Say, "Labels are writing that authors and illustrators use to tell their audience [readers] what something is."

Share with students that you'd like them to find the "labels" in the book.

Open the book again and take a picture walk, looking for things that are labeled.  

Remind students that writers [authors and illustrators] use labels to tell their readers what something is.

Model for students how to add a label [or labels] to a story.

Encourage students to use labels in their own writing.

Resources:

Cassie's Word Quilt by Faith Ringgold