WRITER'S WORKSHOP MINI LESSONS

Labeling our Stories

 

Lesson 2:  Purpose of Labels

Gather students around the carpet area.

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

Ask, "Yesterday we read a book that told us about labels - - what are labels?"

Facilitate discussion:

• what do they look like

• who uses them

• what are they for

• what do they tell us

Say, "Today's book also has labels in it, just like yesterday's book.  It will help us to become better writers."

Share the title of the book.

Ask, "Have you ever eaten the alphabet?  What do you suppose this book will be about?"

Bring in a variety of fruits and veggies.

Read Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert.

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.

Ask, "Why was it important for Lois Ehlert, the author and illustrator of this book, to add labels to her book?"

Facilitate Discussion:

• the labels told us what the name of the fruits and vegetables were

• the labels helped us know what the names were, because some of us might not have known them

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 - -  using the fruits and veggies you brought in.

Encourage students to use labels in their own writing.

Resources:

 

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert