immigration · interview · mentor texts · patricia machlachlan

Q&A with Patricia MacLachlan + a Giveaway

Like you, I read lots of books.  One of my favorite authors has long been Patricia MacLachlan, who I believe is one of the most exquisite writers of our time.  Her newest book, Nora's Chicks, with illustrations by Kathryn Brown is yet another book filled with the kind of writer's craft we'd like young writers… Continue reading Q&A with Patricia MacLachlan + a Giveaway

demonstration · mentor entries · mentoring · minilesson · patricia machlachlan · writing workshop

Using Asterisks

During the demonstration of today's minilesson I added asterisks to my WN Entry to show a flashback in time. I said something like, "I'm going to put some stars here, called asterisks, to show that I'm going back in time. This is something that writers like Patricia MacLachlan, whose book, Journey, you read in third… Continue reading Using Asterisks

Cynthia Rylant · memoir · mentor texts · patricia machlachlan · ralph fletcher · sandra cisneros

Memoir Stuff On-Tap for This-Coming Week

This week I'm going to pull-out a bunch of texts that are memoir-ish: When the Relatives Came, What You Know First, The House on Mango Street, and maybe even Marshfield Dreams if I can find it in-time. However, I'm unsure as to whether or not I want to share the memoir I wrote about my… Continue reading Memoir Stuff On-Tap for This-Coming Week

Cynthia Rylant · immersion · mentor texts · mentoring · patricia machlachlan

Immersing them in the memoir genre

Deb asked me which texts I'll be using on day one of the memoir unit. Well, the answer is that I will be reading When the Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant or rereading What You Know First by Patricia MacLachlan. That being said, I'm actually having the kids spend their independent writing time reading three… Continue reading Immersing them in the memoir genre

memoir · mentor author · patricia machlachlan · wn entry

WN Entry: Moving

Right now I feel like the young girl (actually Patricia MacLachlan) in Maclachlan's Memoir What You Know First. I'm preparing for a move from one east coast city to another and it feel so enormous and huge. My boxes are stacked up throughout my apartment leaving little room for me to walk. There is an… Continue reading WN Entry: Moving