Every year when we start writing workshop, we start with "What can we write in our writer's notebook?" Every year students make heart maps and territories and write about what they like. I think this works for a short period of time, but then students "run out" of things to say. What other options can we give them to help them be independent when writing so that workshop can run smoothly?
Aimee Buckner's Notebook Know How was recommended to me by the director of the Spartanburg Writing Project. It's the first book that really made sense to me about how to launch the notebook. The heart map is part of that, but students also learn to write/answer questions, make lists, go back and look for patterns in their notebook, expand, and more.
Another thing I love about this book is that it works at any grade level. We've used it within the first weeks of school to launch 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st grade notebooks. I've received a lot of positive feedback from teachers. My second grade teacher told me today that her students are able to write 15-20 minutes independently and she feels like she has a handle on the notebook for the first time.
It's a great quick read. It's practical and you can take the suggestions and implement them the next day. My favorite kind of text. Check it out if you are looking to expand your professional resources on writing!
https://www.amazon.com/Notebook-Know-How-Strategies-Writers/dp/1571104135/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472695238&sr=8-1&keywords=notebook+know+how+aimee+buckner
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