5 Easy Ways to Build Writer's Notebook Topics
Writing can often be a time-consuming and creative endeavor, especially when trying to find writer’s notebook topics. From generating ideas to organizing your thoughts, writing can easily overwhelm even the most experienced writers, so making it manageable for your students is important.
Here are five easy methods to develop ideas for your writer's notebook!
Want more ways to build writer’s notebook topics join me for five days in the Writer’s Notebook Challenge as we transform how you and your students use notebooks!
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Use lists to generate ideas for writing
One great way to come up with writer’s notebook topics is to use the power of lists. Whether it’s an inspirational list of places you want to travel, things you want to learn or goals you want to accomplish, lists are a great way to generate topics for writing. Lists can be as simple as the following topics:
Favorite things
Least favorite things
Characteristics of a friend
Best life events
Movies you have seen
Favorite video games
Favorite show
List of questions
Lists are a work in progress, continually encouraging students to update ideas in their notebooks - inspiration can strike at any time.
Writer’s Notebook Heart Map (and Writing Territories)
This strategy is similar to generating lists, but it asks the students to think on a more personal level. Georgia Heard’s Heart Maps* are one way to encourage students to find what matters to them. Heart maps can then turn into stories or topics for writing when students are stuck on what to write.
Another strategy for writer’s notebook topics is Kelly Gallagher’s Writing Territories. This is a simple strategy where students list any and every topic they know about or have experience with. The idea is simple, but many students need prompting or an example. Students will say, “I don’t know anything” or “I haven’t done anything.” Brainstorm as a class and share some of your list with students, this will get the ball rolling. It is important to revisit the list often and add to it when inspiration strikes. The Writing Territories strategy can be found in Teaching Adolescent Writers* by Kelly Gallagher.
Use a Noun
Another creative way to come up with ideas for your writer’s notebook topics is to pick a noun and write. Take one simple word, like “tree” or “beach,” and explore all the possibilities associated with it. Write about adventures that take place at the beach, describe an enchanted tree deep in the forest, or let your imagination soar and create something totally new!
It is okay and normal to stray off topic and I encourage students to allow their minds to stray. New ideas may come up and take the story to a new place or spark new ideas. This is part of the excitement and magic of the writer’s notebook! Let students make it their own, a place for their unique thoughts and perspectives to take shape.
Challenging students to come up with something unique can lead to some of their best work.
Read to Write
Reading is a great way to discover new topics and inspire writer’s notebook topics. Reading the work of other authors helps students gain valuable insights into different writing styles and techniques, while also providing new ideas for writer’s notebook topics.
This is a perfect activity for a mini-lesson as a class; using picture books is a bite-sized way to expose students to rich text in less time. The first read through should be as readers and for the enjoyment of a good story. The second read through should be as writers - analyzing and evaluating writer’s craft. Students must practice this many times with a teacher as a facilitator before they will begin to do this on their own; the goal is to have them reading like writers on their own!
Keep an eye out for exciting plot lines and creative use of language as students read—these can spark an idea for a new story or poem in the writer’s notebook.
Three-by-three (3 x 3)
There are two ways to do a 3x3 for writer’s notebook topics.
3x3 Strategy One
The first way is simple, but challenges students to think about previously listed topics in a new way. Have students look back at lists they have created, topics they have used in their writer’s notebooks, or new ideas.
Write the topic or idea on a new page in their notebook.
Set the timer for 3 minutes
Write as many 3 word phrases as possible about the chosen topic.
3x3 Strategy Two
This strategy relies on three columns and three rows, with each column and row representing a different idea.
In the first column, list any characters or people for the story. The second column lists three settings or locations which could be used in the story. The third column lists actions for the characters to take. Once you've completed your 3 x 3 chart, explore possible combinations of characters/people - settings - actions.
Students will also want to consider the motivation of the characters and figurative language, but for the purpose of the writer’s notebook topics, this is enough to get the creative juices flowing. Students might encounter difficulties in thinking about topics; providing task cards with ideas might spark creativity. Grab the task cards here
Building writer’s notebook topics does not need to be a struggle. Remember to have fun, language is fun and students should use their notebooks to explore new ideas and play with language. As always, the magic is in the process, friends!
*Suggested book titles are Amazon affiliate links*
The magic is in the process!
More on Writer’s Notebook Topics
Heart Mapping at Home: Meaningful, Authentic Writing
Chapter 5: Beyond Fake Writing: The Power of Choice
7 Key Decisions for Writer's Notebook Success in the Classroom
How to Set-Up Writer's Notebook: Tips for Success in the Classroom