Cynthia Rylant Author Study

Writers’ Workshop

Way’s to Generate Ideas

Kim Sigismondi

How Can Parents Help at Home

• Tell a lot of stories

• Remind your child of special times

• Read other books by Cynthia Rylant

• Collect memorabilia

• Ask about the writing we are doing in school

• Encourage your child to write at home

Strategies we are working on in class

Reflecting on the Past• When writers can

connect to the important parts of their own lives, it enables them to write from rich experiences, and the writing is better.

Important times form my past

Why they are important

Playing at the beach, especially at the tide pools, lagoon

Planting a garden in New Hampshire

I felt like a free explorer. We caught starfish and put them back, watched the sunset on the jetty. Quiet and wild times with sister, Judie.Adults didn’t bother us.

With my dad-started my love of growing things. Grew my own food upstate.

Writers Write About Places They Love

• Writers think about their own special times and magical places to write about.

When Where

The beach at Cape Cod

My backyard

The schoolyard

During the day, sunlight through seasons

A nighttime party during a holiday

Maybe first and last day of kindergarten during recess, midday-scary, friendly in end

Habits of Mind Help Writers Find Topics

• Relax your mind to help you freewrite• Let yourself daydream• Clear your mind of all the day’s clutter

Objects and Photos Give us

Writing Ideas• They help us think of topics• They help us think of people• Remind us of memories• Inspire us

Sketch to Write

• Writers sketch images to help inspire their writing

Passions and Longings

• Consider your personal passions, interests, and desires of your own that you could write about

• Questions to help guide you– Who are the people who have influenced you the most?– Have you had any really special pets?– Do you have a hobby?– What is your favorite part of the school day?– Which topics could you write about because of how strongly you feel about them?– What in the world really excites you?– What do you yearn for?– Is there something you imagine yourself being as a grown up?– Which sports do you love?– Are there any other activities that you are crazy for?– Is there a special kind of friend, new brother or sister, or older brother or sister whom you wish for?– Is there a new pet that you dream of having?– Is there something special you wish to accomplish?– Do you have a dream of doing something special with someone?– Which holidays do you love?

Using Symbols to Get Ideas

• Symbols in our world inspire authors.– The star of David - My grandparents, Passovers in Florida– Peace sign - Hope – Met’s symbol - My love of the team, games with dad when I was young– Toy’s R Us symbol - Shopping, buying baby stuff– The Apple logo - learning to use new programs, fear, proud

– Black diamond - Skiing