TEACHER:

Pennie Turner, reading
Dacusville Elementary School
Easley, South Carolina

AGES:

Six to 12

PROJECT:

Write profiles

GOAL:

To use writing and listening skills to compile a book

Pennie Turner works hard to make her students feel comfortable about reading and writing. "We do a lot of choral reading here," she says, "so if somebody makes a mistake, they're not in the hot seat."

But the way she sparks real interest is to tie their assignments into something meaningful. It's the reason she likes asking her students to write reports on their families and friends. "Even reluctant writers get into this kind of project," she says. "I'm just looking for anything that gets kids excited about writing."

MATERIALS
• Spiral notebook
• Pen or pencil
• Camera (optional)
• Good heavy paper
• Tape recorder (optional)
• Photo album or other blank book
• Rubber cement
• Envelopes

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Brainstorm a list of questions to ask relatives and friends. Remember the basics, such as full name, birthday, occupation and favorite things to do. Other possible questions include: What are your best and worst memories of school? What's your favorite book? What would you do if you won the lottery? When you were my age, what did you want to be when you grew up?

2. Your interviews will be conducted in person, on the telephone or through the mail. With in-person interviews, your child can write the answers in a notebook. You should tape the interviews, if possible, to be sure that what's written is accurate. You can also photograph your subjects or ask them to donate pictures of themselves.

3. After each interview your child should write down what he's learned so he doesn't get buried under a mountain of unprocessed information. Ask him to use his notes to write a short story about each of the people he's interviewed.

4. Remind your child that every good writer has an editor. When he's completed a first draft in his notebook, sit down with him and review his story. Go easy here. You just want him to gain an understanding of the writing process. Point out errors in punctuation and capitalization but be sure to preserve your child's language.

5. When you're both satisfied with the edited story, you're ready to publish. The stories can be typed, word-processed or printed neatly on heavy paper. Glue stories and photographs into a blank book with rubber cement. Taped interviews can be tucked into envelopes and glued in as well. One way to organize the album is to glue down the subject's story on the right-hand page and the accompanying photo on the left.