![]() Students notice that the word “month” is an indicator of hopefulness or despair, depending on how they perceive the length of a month to be. ![]() I let students share with their group and then share to the class. Independently, students respond to these questions: What is the tone, the feeling exuding from the sentence? How do you know? I preface the reading by saying, “This writer was asked, ‘If you had to tell me about your life in six words, what would you say?’ This is the memoirist’s response: ‘Ask me again in a month.’” I then tell them that they are going to write their memoir in only six words (listen for the gasps!). I define the word “memoir” for my students and explain that memoirs can come in all lengths–a couple pages or an entire book. So instead of asking them to create a fictional six word story, it had to be a six word memoir. In past years, I have used Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story to open the conversation about intentional word choice: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” While this is still one of the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever read, I wanted this activity to act as an introduction to the process of studying mentor texts as well as a gateway into the students writing about themselves in a personal way. My secret weapon came in the form of six word stories….with a twist. Still, it’s tough to get students studying mentor texts and writing a finished piece in only 25 minutes. And not just an introduction letter that skims the surface of who they are and what they like to do. This year, I decided to make it truer to my class: I wanted them writing. It just never felt genuine or much like my classroom. For the past six years of teaching, plans for the first day were a mix of icebreakers, quick review of the syllabus, and writing some sort of introduction letter, which they would finish for homework. I want it to be fun, unique, and a truthful preview of what the school year will look like in my room. Planning for the first day is a balancing act. First-day six word memoirs from Maria’s students She loves a clean white board for spontaneous think tank sessions with her inspiring colleagues, a fully charged laptop to explore the ever-growing world of educational technology, and big circle of passionate teenagers engaged in thought-provoking discussion. Maria is an English teacher at Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, VA. Today’s guest post is from one of Rebekah & Allison’s colleagues, Maria Bartz.
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