Song Writing

On Hand: Astro Bunnies by Christine Loomis (2001) or any other picture book based on a familiar song structure, a whiteboard or chart paper, and a marker.

Mini-Lesson: Read the book once just as you would any other picture book, then read it again. On the second read, point out to students that the author, Christine Loomis, wrote the words to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Sing a page or two:

Astro bunnies

See a star

Think they'd like to

Go that far

            Now choose a classroom topic (jobs, an upcoming event, or writer's workshop, for example) and compose your own song to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle":

Writer's Workshop

Every day

We compose

With words we play

            Working with different language structures helps students break out of too-familiar sentence patterns and write with more fluency. Invite students to borrow the rhythm when composing.

Extension: Investigate picture book adaptations of the song "The Wheels On the Bus." You might include The Seals On the Bus by Lenny Hort (2000) and Library Doors by Toni Buzzeo ( 2008).

No More "I'm Done!"  focuses on nurturing independent primary writers.  In addition to suggesting a classroom set-up and routines that support independence, a year of developmentally appropriate minilessons is provided.