Need some help-lesson related

Anyone have any lessons on Memoir writing for 2nd grade? My students really struggle with writing and they just don't seem to be grasping the concept of a memoir no matter how many books I read them as examples. I'm beginnig to pull my hair out! TIA

Have you tried doing a class/interactive writing about a memory you all have together? Maybe like a class trip or special party? This way you can help model it & the majority of ideas will come froma common memory.

I had my class bring in an All about ME box with 5 items in it that help to tell a story - for example, they could put a plastic horse in it but not bc they LIKE horses, but bc it reminds them of the first time they went horseback riding. That really helped them alot. They did a great job, loved sharing their stuff, and it was a great motivator. HTH

Read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge by Mem Fox I believe..It is about a yung buy who helps an elder woman get some of her memories back by collecting items for her. The items remind him of certian things in HIS life and the items remind HER of certain things in her life... My friend who teaches 2nd grade uses it..

then take an item.. i take my car keys and I tell them about the time I locked my keys int he car and my dad had to help me... then i ask if the keys remind them of any memories in their life.. youd be surprise dhow many different stories you will get

then have each child bring in an item for a memory basket... the next day have them take an item that is not theirs out of the basket and write a memory about it....

---

Posted by kdelace

Read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge by Mem Fox I believe..It is about a yung buy who helps an elder woman get some of her memories back by collecting items for her. The items remind him of certian things in HIS life and the items remind HER of certain things in her life... My friend who teaches 2nd grade uses it..

---

I also use this story. We then create an organizer using the things in the book(basically "What is a memory?")
I also do Memory Boxes..kids decorate shoe boxes and bring in five items that represent memories.
I do writing off a picture too. (Writing about the story behind what you see in the photo.)"Mi Familia" is a good book for that too.
I use a lot of C. Rylant for memoir. Using her for Writing Workshop is great.

Message edited 1/11/2007 6:55:59 PM.

 
Posted 1/11/07 6:48 PM

Yes, I also use Wilfred Gordon.... I forgot to mention that one. It makes me though.

---

Posted by kdelace

Read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge by Mem Fox I believe..It is about a yung buy who helps an elder woman get some of her memories back by collecting items for her. The items remind him of certian things in HIS life and the items remind HER of certain things in her life... My friend who teaches 2nd grade uses it..

then take an item.. i take my car keys and I tell them about the time I locked my keys int he car and my dad had to help me... then i ask if the keys remind them of any memories in their life.. youd be surprise dhow many different stories you will get

then have each child bring in an item for a memory basket... the next day have them take an item that is not theirs out of the basket and write a memory about it....

---

Message edited 1/12/2007 9:09:07 PM.