Starting a Writer’s Notebook

At The Story Room we feel it is important for for children to have writing lives outside of school. A Writer’s Notebook is the perfect place for them to write down and keep their ideas and stories at home.

At their first Story Room session, children are given a writer’s notebook. They then bring this back to each workshop, so that they can add to it each time. Inbetween workshops they are encouraged to add to it. These books will be cherished in years to come when the children look back at their writing.

Here are some ideas of what Story Room kids can use their noteboooks for or for those starting new notebooks at home.

What can I use a Writer’s Notebook for?

For Collections.

All Children love to collect interesting items, so if they find something e.g. a feather, an interesting leaf,  a stamp, a postcard… stick it in their book and ask them to write a bit about what they like about the object. This could be a simple list of adjectives or a longer passage. They may even like to write a story with the object in it!

To Encourage Writing.
Writing is not easy and some children are reluctact to share their writing. The notebook will help them build up their confidence. It is a place where they can write, knowing that no teacher is going to mark their work. Here are some ideas,

• Letters – Write  a letter to your child, and ask them to write back to you. The letter can be about anything e.g. what you had for lunch, a memory, how you feel about the weather – anything!!
• Writing Prompts. Write the first line of a story in the notebook for your child and ask them to finish it. There are lots of writing prompts available online.
• Lists- E.g. Write “Things I love to eat” in the notebook and let your child do the rest.
• Questions – What super power would you like to have? If you could be granted one wish, what would it be?

For Drawing.

Illustrations to stories are important too, so encourage your child (if they like drawing) to decorate their books and their writing.

Here are some of The Story Room kids writing books: