olw

Because Of a Word

Dana Murphy

As our building’s literacy coach, I often have the privilege of talking to several classrooms of kids, across grade levels.  Such was the case when we returned from Winter Break.  Teachers of grades 3rd – 6th graciously invited me in to talk to their students about choosing One Little Word.  In various classrooms, I sat on the carpet among the kids and shared my own One Little Word.  We talked about the factors we might consider when choosing a word, such as the richness of the word and the part of speech.  I showed them my own writer’s notebook and how I had written about my possible words before making a final decision. I encouraged the kids to talk to each other and write in their writer’s notebooks for a few days before making a choice.  I left small pieces of construction paper and asked them to write down their word after they had chosen.  Slowly, my mailbox began to fill with their choices.  Here was the final result:

https://animoto.com/play/6hwN04ruZ63P1KWZA9EcBg

Every time I walk past this hallway bulletin board, I smile.  My mind fills with questions and possibilities.  What if this group of kids spent the next year truly living these words?  What kind of people might they turn out to be?  Try.  Roar.  Leap.  Brave.  Hope.  Notice.  How might their lives be forever changed?  All because of a word.

Published by Dana Murphy

Literacy Coach, Reader, Writer

14 thoughts on “Because Of a Word”

  1. Here is the blog I read about ‘just one word’ I know it is for 3rd -6th grade but I thought it might work and tie it in with MLK ‘s book Martin’s Big Words. I will try it and let you know…..

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  5. When I read your post about OLW, I began to see the power behind it and decided to do this with my class when I got back from winter break. I was truly dumbfounded by the words that they chose and how well they knew themselves and what they wanted to think about and achieve. A painfully shy girl chose “brave”, fidgety, talkative child chose “relax”, a solemn, often sad child chose “joyful”, and a student in a walker with cognitive issues chose “stronger” with no prompting from an adult. Let’s just say I was beyond touched by the depth of thinking from these 4th grade students.
    What is the song you used Dana?

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  6. I’m glad you shared this. What a great idea. When reading your last paragraph, and especially the “What if” line, I was wondering if there is any planned follow-up to help them keep their words alive during the school year and as they head out for summer.

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    1. Amanda, I hadn’t planned on any follow-up initially. I just wanted to introduce the concept of choosing One Little Word. But after seeing their choices… I will definitely be following up with them!

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    2. Amanda, We’re having our students decorate their word and put it in the front of their notebooks. Perhaps we could incorporate it into their slice of life writings.

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  8. Love that beautiful bulletin board filled with words like fearless and leap. I hope it’s a good year for these kids! (I used to do check-ins with my fourth graders about their words. That might help keep them at the forefront of the kids’ minds.)

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  9. I had read your post about one word but didn’t stop to think about how powerful it could be. I am going to reread your post and use the video as a way to launch my students “one word”. Of course I am now going to brainstorm and write about my one word. Thanks to. Your Blog, “Two Writing Teachers” for always keeping my passions going.

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