[MOSAIC] Voice

[Libby DuVall]

Our staff of teachers in grades 4-5 are using a voice unit created by Gretchen Courtney.  The staff uses 6+1Traits, but they feel it's weakest in Voice.  The unit they are teaching is 6 weeks long.  I don't have the information with me now, but it involves writing 3-5 papers simultaneously.   Monday begins with modeling the writing, Tuesday and Wednesday are shared writing, Thursday is small group writing, and Friday is an individual piece of writing.  The other option is doing a modeled writing on Monday, a shared writing on Wednesday, and an individual writing on Friday.
 
Each week teachers focus on a different aspect of voice.  They focus on great lead-ins, different types of figurative language, etc.  I have to say it's amazing the difference in the writing for these kids.  Wow!  
 
The teachers are all using picture books to show examples of this great writing as well.    If you know anyone who has been to a Gretchen Courtney workshop on writing or voice, it's worth talking to them about.  Her stuff is amazing!
 
Libby DuVall
Reading Specialist
Glenwood Intermediate School
Ball-Chatham CUSD#5
http://gis.chathamschools.org/Classroom%20Web%20Pages/Reading%20Web/Reading%20home.htm <http://gis.chathamschools.org/Classroom%20Web%20Pages/Reading%20Web/Reading%20home.htm> 

________________________________

From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org on behalf of mdesmond at jd.cnyric.org
Sent: Tue 2/5/2008 8:24 PM
To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: [MOSAIC] Voice



Help! My students are currently working on writing magazine articles about
the topic of their choice.  They are really into this because they are
responsible for writing the article and formatting it as well.  I am
noticing that while the student's work is very organized with good topic
sentences and supporting details, as a whole, their articles are very bland
making it almost painful to read at times.  Does anyone have any
suggestions or mini-lessons focusing on the author's voice?  I have tried
to give them various models of the purpose and importance of voice in
writing, but many of them are not taking any risks in their writing.  Any
ideas?
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