Modeling How to Use a Writer's Notebook

A writer's notebook is a journal set aside for–you guessed it–writing! Writer's notebooks contain lists and ideas for future writing, as well as stories, drawings, and poetry. 

This notebook is a place where students can collect gems of wisdom, sparks of inspiration, draw small sketches, draft ideas, and write poems, stories, reflections, and curious questions whenever inspiration strikes!

As teachers, whether home educators or classroom teachers, we have the opportunity to keep notebooks alongside our students and to use them as examples. Taking time to share examples not only helps young writers figure out what types of things they can use their notebook to collect, but it can also help grow the bond between teacher and student, parent and child. 

As a classroom teacher, I noticed that when I took the time to write and share simple poems or stories, it inspired my students to do the same. I was amazed to see how opening up the door to my own thoughts and ideas helped cultivate a culture of authentic sharing and encouragement in the classroom.

Every now and then, I'll be posting a page from my writer's notebook. This particular page from my notebook includes a book quote I loved, Scripture I've been reflecting on, and a simple poem I wrote about my daughter playing in our baby pool. Feel free to use it as an example for your students or use it to inspire your own collection!

Looking for other great ways to incorporate notebooking into your language arts instruction? Check out our Creative Café workshops, which all incorporate notebooking, or explore our other notebooking activities here!