Georgia Heard’s newest book, Heart Maps – Helping Students Create and Craft Authentic Writing explores the thing most central, most essential, and most necessary in teaching writing.
What is that one, most essential thing? It is the heart. Your own heart, and your students’ hearts.
In this book, Georgia offers practical tools to spark ideas for writing. The work is accessible and feels doable even for a writing workshop novice — but the maps are so much more than just a tool for generating ideas. The book, organized into twenty or so ingenious templates for heart mapping, offers a way to study the heart from all angles. There is a template for mapping important memories, places, and people. There’s one for mapping the things that inspire you as a writer, and another for exploring your heart as a reader. There are others for gratitude, wishes, people you admire, and more. The list of ways to study what lives in your heart is long, and inspiring, and beautiful.
You might be familiar with the concept of mapping the heart from Georgia’s book Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School. Or perhaps you discovered heart mapping some other way. In any case, Heart Maps leaves you inspired and thinking about this tried and true strategy in countless new ways.
Each section of the book is organized with an introduction, student examples, a blank template (that can be downloaded from digital resources), and a list of mentor texts to read aloud along with the particular heart map.
Here’s an example of the ‘My Wishes’ heart map:
One of the lovely aspects about this work is that it can be applied across grade levels and across units of study. Each heart map includes suggestions for the types of writing that might spring from the ideas generated in the map, and there are suggestions sprinkled throughout for ways to use the maps with younger or older children. The templates are simple, just a blank heart in most cases, ready to be filled with students’ ideas and creative takes on mapping their hearts.
I’ve been carrying the book around with me in my visits to many classrooms in my role as a literacy coach. It is not an exaggeration to say that every teacher who has seen the book, no matter the grade level, has exclaimed something to the effect of “I NEED TO HAVE THIS BOOK!”
This ‘Special Place’ heart map is just one of many examples of the templates that could easily be used with any age group:
The book ends with three essays to inspire you to take heart mapping in your own direction. Pam Allyn writes about using heart mapping as a project in places around the world where children are learning to read and write under the most challenging circumstances. “What may appear as a simple activity is really courage in action,” she writes. “Heart maps portray deeply felt memories, loves, and sorrows– artifacts too often suppressed by forces around them” (p. 120).
Nancie Atwell writes about the power of heart mapping to encourage all writers, boys in particular, to use writing to communicate and organize their thoughts and feelings. “The feelings of my male students are just as strong as those of their female classmates,” she writes,”but guys don’t always have the language or the opportunity to express them” (p. 127).
Penny Kittle’s essay is about mapping music of the heart. “My students and I discover the gift of a heart map playlist: to soothe, to comfort, and to remind us of the beauty in our past and in our daily living” (p. 129).
Georgia Heard ends her book by saying, “My hope is that as you explore heart mapping with your writers, you will fall in love with the stories and poems, truths and courage that will unfold–both theirs and your own” (p. 131). The beauty of this work lies in the creativity of kids to take it in unexpected directions, and for you take the idea, run with it, and enjoy the journey.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
- To win a copy of Heart Maps–Helping Student Create and Craft Authentic Writing please leave a comment on this post by Sunday, October 23rd 11:59 p.m. EST. A random number generator will be used to pick the winner.
- Please be sure to leave a valid email address when you post your comment, so we can contact you to obtain your mailing address if you win. Your e-mail address will not be published online if you leave it in the email field only. Heinemann will ship to winners in the United States only.
- If you are the winner of the book, you will receive an email you with the subject line of TWO WRITING TEACHERS – HEART MAPS. Please respond to the e-mail with your mailing address within five days of receipt. Unfortunately, a new winner will be chosen if a response isn’t received within five days.
Awakening the Heart is a wonderful book. I’d love to get my hands on this new one!
LikeLike
I love using Awakening the Heart. I’m looking forward to using this new resource.
LikeLike
I just did a heart map this week with my class! I wish I would have known about all these fun versions. What fun lies ahead with this book! The excerpts you shared are inspiring.
LikeLike
I love using Heart Maps with my students. This book will take me deeper!
LikeLike
I’ve used a heart maps in the past, but not to this extent. Looks amazing!
LikeLike
I’ve loved all of Georgia Heard’s books – can’t wait to read this one!
LikeLike
Generating ideas and recognizing what students love to write about drives the writing workshop. This sounds like a great book, I am eager to read it!
LikeLike
This looks like an amazing book! I might just have to go out and purchase it!
LikeLike
I am excited to use this with both teachers and students!
LikeLike
I love Heart Maps- helping children to understand the power of writing, and the teaching and learning that comes from connecting writing in the classroom to things that are important to the individual child, cannot be done enough!
LikeLike
Heart mapping is one of my favorite tools to use with reluctant writers AND reluctant teachers of writing! So many teachers see their students go from, “I’m done!” after two sentences to the “Awww..we have to stop?!” when using heart maps. What a great way to expand this passion and revisit it when writing needs a reboot!
LikeLike
I’m inspired by the possibilities of this book! I look forward to using these ideas for writing personal narratives!
LikeLike
I used heart maps with students many years ago, but this book sounds like it broadens the idea and would stimulate lots of topics for writing. I’m thinking it would be fun to have this book to use with my grandkids.
LikeLike
Here I am! Adele from Italy 😊
LikeLike
This is so inspiring! I can’t wait to try this out myself and with students!
LikeLike
I want to read & use this book!
LikeLike
How do actually transition an idea from a heart map to a journal entry? Is it really just as simple as having students pick one piece of the heart.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful way to help writers!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read this jewel.
LikeLike
Thanks for reviewing Georgia’s book and sharing a few glimpses from it. My third graders are creating their mindful moments maps to show thoughts and memories they hold in their minds and hearts. Can’t wait for the writing to follow!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing a focal point of the heart that assures our students are engaged and motivated to create and share their best work!
LikeLike
I love Georgia Heard’s work! Looks like another wonderful resource! Thank you for this post!
LikeLike
I would love to do this with my students!
LikeLike
What a great looking book! I can’t wait to look into her other book, too!
LikeLike
Looks like a great book!
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I am loving learning about heart maps! Excited to add this to my toolkit!
LikeLike
I am loving learning more about heart maps!
LikeLike
Love Georgia’s work. She inspires me. Thank you for introducing her new book.
LikeLike
I’ve been loving heart maps for many years and I am amazed that a whole book could be dedicated to it! So I can’t wait to check this one out! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
As a new ELA instructional coach and mom to a Kindergarten student, I would love to get my hands on this book.
LikeLike
I loved Awakening the Heart and I use it frequently in whatever grade I teach. I’m excited to read this new book. I can see it’s great potential with my 3rd grade writers!
LikeLike
I look forward to reading this book and sharing it with the teachers in my school.
LikeLike
My class and I are exploring heart maps. Would love to learn more from Georgia Heard.
LikeLike
What a beautiful idea. I look forward to adapting and suggesting this at school.
LikeLike
I NEED THIS BOOK! 🙂
LikeLike
Love the special place heart map idea! Look forward to seeing the new ideas!
LikeLike
This book looks amazing! Can’t wait to add a copy to my shelf!
LikeLike
I love heart maps and can’t wait to read this book for even more ideas!
LikeLike
I am so excited to read this! It looks like a beautiful book.
LikeLike
This combines two classes which I have sat in with my English-language learners. One was a social studies 2nd grade paragraph on My Favorite Place and the other was a 4th grade personal narrative visual organizer. It is motivating for students to write about what involves them emotionally. Hope to read book and put into practice.
LikeLike
This combines two classes which I have sat in with my English-language learners. One was a social studies 2nd grade paragraph on My Favorite Place and the other was a 4th grade personal narrative visual organizer. It is motivating for students to write about what involves them emotionally. Hope to try it!
LikeLike
I love Georgia Heard’s poetry books. Can’t wait to read this one, too!
LikeLike
Would love to add this book to my collection!
LikeLike
A whole book dedicated to Heart Maps?! Yes please! My students and I were just discussing how the best writing is the kind that tugs at your heart.
LikeLike
Excited to read the book!
LikeLike
I am a writing coach for my school and we’ve done a lot of work around Georgia Heard. In fact, one of our grade levels does heart maps every year as part of their first unit. I cannot wait to read this book and see how else we can incorporate them into our writing units.
LikeLike
I cannot wait to read this book!
LikeLike
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. I have used heart maps in my classes before but the examples you shared will blow the lid off my previous heart maps.
LikeLike
This definitely looks like a book that needs to be added to my professional library!
LikeLike
What a great inspiration! I especially love the student examples.
LikeLike
Would love to have a copy of the book. Sounds like something I can use with my Basic Writing Class
LikeLike
I would LOVE to share the book and the ideas with my school. Thank you for giving us a sneak peek preview!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to use this with the students I work with in Ghana! Sueron1218@gmail.com
LikeLike
I have always loved creating heart maps w students and I have always loved Georgia Heard! So excited to read this book!
LikeLike
Can’t wait to use this book in my classroom!
LikeLike
Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
LikeLike
“I NEED TO HAVE THIS BOOK!” Was already interested in this book, but your review has totally convinced me!
LikeLike
Georgia Heard is such an inspiration and knowing that another book from her is in this world makes my heart full! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to use this book!
LikeLike
I love the idea of heart maps and that it can appeal to all styles of learners. I’ve seen Georgia Heard speak once before and found her inspiring and full of usable ideas. This book is on my wish list!
LikeLike
I would love, love, love to have this book to compliment all the work I have done with my students while using Georgia’s Awakening the Heart and Climb inside a Poem books.
LikeLike
Your review took me from: “Hmm, this looks interesting.” to “I MUST get Heart Maps!” Thanks!!
LikeLike
I am so excited about this book! Thank you Georgia Heard!
LikeLike
I’m a huge fan of Georgia Heard … had the pleasure of hosting her at UD many years ago! I’ve never been disappointed with her wonderful books and would love to add this latest title to my collection. Thanks for the great article and giveaway! 🙂
LikeLike
Georgia Heard continues to motivate amd inspire my teaching and writing.
LikeLike
I’m excited to read and learn more about inspiring the big important work of writers!
LikeLike
I love the idea of customizing the Heart Map!
LikeLike
At a time when we (my district) have seemed to lose our way, this book comes along and with it, the promise of getting back on track. I have implemented Ms. Heard’s texts in my writing workshop in the past and look forward to using this most recent one to motivate my third grade writers.
LikeLike
I would love to use this book in my adult poetry workshops of mostly retired people. Sounds and looks wonderful!
LikeLike
I’ve LOVED Georgia Heart for years! This book is a perfect fit for my third grade writers. Fingers crossed!!
LikeLike
Wow! Looks great! Thanks!
LikeLike
This sounds like an amazing resource to share with my K-5 teachers. Would love to help them help their students tap in to writing on a more personal level to really up their engagement and their level of writing!
LikeLike
I am so excited about this book. I hope I win so that I can share this with my reluctant writers. If I don’t win, I am going to purchase a copy of this ASAP!!
LikeLike
As an instructional coach, I’ve introduced the concept of heart maps to my coachee teachers. What a great resource this would be to continue that work.
LikeLike
I would love this book! I have my students do heart maps for writing every year and would love to see the possibilities!!
LikeLike
“Boys in particular” catches my eye on this review. Currently, I am facilitating an after school Writers Workshop for a small group of writers in grades 3-5.
I am hopeful that “just one more” professional book this fall will lead us to uncover the heart within our boys’ recurring (but not improving) sports stories. I have Georgia in my heart and mind from her previous books, leaving me ready to dig into her most recent.
LikeLike
I am always excited to read anything by Georgia Heard and would love to add her newest work to my collection. She is an inspiring author who knows how to capture the spirit of our young writers in a way that lets their memories flow from their hearts.
LikeLike
I’ve used Georgia Heard’s poetry to introduce my ESL students to reading and writing poetry. There’s no question she has a big heart, one that she shares with all of us to inspire our writing. Thank you TWT for this post, and thank you, Ms. Heard, for this lovely book!
LikeLike
I feel like we need this now more than ever. Writing is a safe way to express all those feelings we harbor in our hearts.
LikeLike
Can’t wait to add this book to my professional library and put it to use! Sounds wonderful!!
LikeLike
This book made me break my resolve to not buy any more professional books. (I’m a retired teacher.) But I’m so glad I bought this! I can’t wait to explore some new heart mapping opportunities with my after school book club.
LikeLike
Looks like a book that would help me as a writer, too.
LikeLike
This sounds like a great resource that I can’t wait to share with my colleagues and our students!
LikeLike
Amazing ideas – looks like a great read to help students with their challenges in writing!
LikeLike
Such an incredible resource to help students bring authenticity into their writing!
LikeLike
I love Georgia Heard’s Awakening the Heart, and can’t wait to read this one.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful book that is a must have for writing teachers!
LikeLike
Thank you Elizabeth Moore, and Two Writing Teachers, for honoring my book Heart Maps with such a beautiful heartfelt review. I’m so grateful for this community of writers and teachers, thank you all for your wonderfully enthusiastic comments! If you have student heart maps you want to share I’ve started a Heart Maps Facebook Group for posting and sharing children’s heart maps.
LikeLike
Georgia, we are honored to share your book with our wonderful community of teachers! Thank you!
LikeLike
This looks wonderful@
LikeLike
I have teachers that would love to use Heart Maps to help their students to be better writers!
LikeLike
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful book.
LikeLike
Can’t wait to read this book. We create Heart Maps in Grade 3 to help store ideas that are ‘near & dear to our heart’. Not having ideas to write about is discouraging.
LikeLike
This book looks amazing!
LikeLike
Heart mapping is an engaging way to encourage writers to look into themselves! I can’t wait to dive into this book! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Heart Maps would be a wonderful book to add to our professional library! Many teachers on my campus are using heart maps and I think this book would be a valuable resource for them!
LikeLike
Waiting for this wonderful book in Italy… 😍
LikeLike
Heart Mapping sounds like another must read to be added to my list. Thanks for the great review!
LikeLike
This looks like an awesome book!
LikeLike
I have used her materials for years! So excited to see a whole book dedicated to heart maps!
LikeLike
I need this book! I want to help students write about what matters to them. This book would help so much.
LikeLike
I need to have this book. I have started a year long study of poetry with our elementary students. In addition we have started poetry clubs!
LikeLike
I am excited to add this book to my box of tricks to use with my students! THANK YOU!!
LikeLike
Another helpful post to all writers. Another resource for teaching and learning. Thank you!
LikeLike
So many good ideas for reluctant readers! I can’t wait to read it.
LikeLike
Amazing resource for ALL students as we dig deeper and refine our work with UDL
LikeLike
Georgia’s Heart Map idea opened the door to hundreds of ideas for writers of all ages. This book can only add to those ideas.
LikeLike
I love this book!! Georgia Heard is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to use this book with my students.
LikeLike
Georgia Hurd is one of my education heroes. I love heart maps and that she has expanded on them. I need this book!
LikeLike
Authentic writing with heart maps! The visual aspect that heart maps provide in writing is helpful, especially today. I look forward to reading this book.
LikeLike
I LOVE this! As a brand new Reading Coach, I struggle with finding ways to get teachers to instill a love of writing (and reading) in their students! Once the students find value in literacy, once they find their heart in it, then (and only then) will we be able to teach the craft and technique, skills and strategies of writing because the students will have a NEED to know!
LikeLike
I keep reading about this book! Now I really want to read it!
LikeLike
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful sounding book. I am a big fan of Georgia Heard and look forward to checking out her latest! I love doing heart maps with my class and I am excited to explore the variety of maps in this book. Coming up with ideas of what to write is often the hardest part of writing for my First Graders. I love the examples of wishes and special places. Separating the maps into different categories seems like a great way to get our kids thinking more closely about “seed” moments.
LikeLike
One of my earliest memories of workshop instruction started with heart mapping. I can’t wait to dive into this book for awesome generating strategies.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for sharing, again!!
LikeLike
This is one of the first things I do with my 7th graders. They enjoy it and it helps me when they are stuck and “don’t know what to write about.”
LikeLike
I love new professional books that inspire me. This one sounds like something I want to read! Laura
LikeLike
Thank you for introducing this new book by the incredible Georgia Heard to me. It sounds like just what I need to deepen my understanding and use of heart maps.
LikeLike
I have been using heart maps with my third grade writers. Can’t wait to introduce some of the variations!
LikeLike
I have used heart maps in a limited way and would love to expand how I use them in workshop!
LikeLike
Must. Have. This. Book!
LikeLike
I think a great PD exercise would be to make a heart map of the books/articles that have inspired our teaching!
LikeLike
As stated in the post-“I need this book! “
LikeLike
I love that I know a teacher (Margaret Simon) who has student heart maps in this book. What a treasure! It’s at the top of my TBR pile!
LikeLike
Beth, I was recently in a 6th grade classroom working with some very reluctant writer’s on idea generation. I hadn’t read Georgia Heard’s book, but I’d seen the front cover images in a few blog ads. The strategies I was trying just weren’t working for one student in particular (who happened to know me as the mom of one of his friends). When I drew a heart and showed him how to fill it with people and places that were important to me (and that he knew to be true) he actually chimed in with a moment that I could write about. It was like reciprocal idea generation. After that he hastily drew his own map (this kid doesn’t do anything in writing hastily) and started filling it up. Heart Mapping Success story #1. I would love to read the book to get even more than I have from just the front cover!
LikeLike
I have been using heart maps for years and love them!
LikeLike
Heart maps are so much more visual that just generating a list of ideas. A great way to start the writing process creatively. I would love to read this book.
LikeLike
I love using heart maps with students and with teachers! It sounds like this book takes heart mapping to a deeper level!
LikeLike
I love the ideas in this book!
LikeLike
Looks amazing!
LikeLike
Love the heart mapping idea. What a great way to get students to write about what is important to them!
LikeLike
What a great way to help students see that they DO have something to write about. So often I hear I don’t know what to write, now I can tell them write What’s in your heart and they will have a conceptual map of what is there to write about.
LikeLike
I talk about how important creating Heart Maps is in writing workshop, and also with students on the autism spectrum, to more smoothly facilitate writing. But I do not have a copy of the book to really be able to share. It would be wonderful to read!
LikeLike
I love Georgia Heard, and this book sounds spectacular! I think it would be extremely useful in helping my writers generate ideas that might grow into realistic fiction pieces.
LikeLike
Georgia Heard’s books have inspired my teaching for years. So excited about this new book.
LikeLike
Georgia Heard has inspired me for years. I am excited to read this book. I so want our students to know what they want to write about.
LikeLike
This book sounds like a must have!!
Beckertd@fpsct.org
LikeLike
I owe and have read Awaking the Heart multiple times. I definitely need this new edition! Fingers cross that I’m picked. But either way, I WILL read it and use it to help my writers find that next topic to write about. Thanks for the inspiring review.
LikeLike
I love all of my Georgia Heard books and am sure this one is another great one!
LikeLike
Love the concept of heart maps!
LikeLike
This book is just what I need to help my teachers!
LikeLike
I have been using heart maps in a very limited way up until now. I’d be interested to see the expanded uses for them!
LikeLike
Heart Maps are something I hadn’t heard of! This book looks great…what a neat idea!
LikeLike
Truly….this looks like a book I NEED TO HAVE!
Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
LikeLike
Oh my GOSH what an awesome book with so many heart templates to choose from, to keep students’ ideas focused and meaningful!
LikeLike
This would be great to use in my writing class. We use the Lucy’s Units of Study and this would be a great addition.
LikeLike
Wow! This sounds like another wonderful book from Georgia Heard. I can’t wait to see it in action.
LikeLike
Our district is implementing Calkins UofS this year and already very pleased with the students ‘ writing!
I am in the process of prioritizing the best professional resources, and this book is on my list. My fingers are crossed that I am the lucky winner!
LikeLike
I love heart maps! The book sounds amazing, filled with tried and true opportunities for students.
LikeLike
This sounds like another winner from Georgia Heard. My copy of Awakening the Heart is full of sticky notes! I can’t wait to see this one!
LikeLike
Having used Awakening the Heart with success in the past, I am excited about Georgia Heard’s new book. I am sure it will spark creative thinking and will allow students opportunities to write about things that really matter to them. Thanks for the review!
LikeLike
What’s not to LOVE?! This looks awesome and a great for writers to connect.
LikeLike
This looks wonderful! Whether in poetry or prose, Georgia Heard always manages to get to the heart of it all 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful book I’m going to add to my collection! I love how the author takes you on a writing journey.
LikeLike
I love my copy of Awakening the Heart, so I’m sure Georgia’s newest publication will be just as amazing. I look forward to the journey that awaits.
LikeLike