Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook

When I initially saw that Ms. Buckner's focus was on elementary students, I wondered whether I would find it helpful. I am a high school social studies teacher and was looking to focus more on writing. I have decided to use a writer's notebook next year. This is one of several books I've read as I look for ideas. While Ms. Buckner's examples focus on the elementary grades, I still found a lot to think about. From notebook set up to the question of whether to evaluate the notebook, Buckner gave me a lot to consider. I find myself going back to this book. If you are a high school teacher looking to find "the one book" that shows you how to set up a writer's notebook for older students, you might not find this to be focused enough on your grade level. Teachers of older students should also look at books by P. Kittle and K. Gallagher. That being said, I am very pleased to have this book in my library and have recommended it to others. If I taught elementary grades, I would say this book is a must have.

This book is chock-full of awesome ideas for both writers and teachers of young, budding writers. As a student teacher in a middle school writing-focused classroom, this book has been an awesome resource in helping my students develop their own writer's notebooks as well as my own. The strategies in this book not only help with the creative writing aspect of a writer's notebook, but also with the real-life application of these writing strategies. Sometimes you have to make obvious the connections between the strategies you are teaching them from this book and the real world, but to any teacher that shouldn't be something new that they are doing. The author does an excellent job of relating her own teaching experiences, as well as her writing experiences, to the strategies, which are written easy enough to understand, but not so easy that you are confused as to how the strategy works. A must have for anyone looking to expand their repertoire of creative, get the brain juices flowing activities.

When I decided to use a writer's notebook as an integral part of my 6th and 7th grade writing classes, I didn't really know where to start. This book was recommended in several other writing books I really liked, so I gave it a chance. Unlike other books that give you so many different notebook models that you still don't know how to begin, Aimee clearly explains how she uses the notebook as part of her everyday writing curriculum. Each strategy she gives is presented two different ways; there is a narrative explaining how to implement the strategy as well as a quick reference chart. It's perfect for teachers who like to look back over resources for ideas without re-reading the entire thing. Although Aimee teaches 4th grade, I've found nearly all of her ideas to be applicable to any age student. This book is a treasure chest for writing teachers.

I'm a new teacher and used this book to get started with using a journal/notebook with my writing and English students (middle school and high school). This is a great book! It is well written and well organized, and I felt much more prepared to use the notebooks to teach writing after reading this book. I have already put several things from this book into place, including the tip about using the back of the journal for generating ideas for them. Of all of the books I have bought to help me with teaching English and Writing this is one of my favorites. Nice job, Ms. Buckner, and thank you.

Previous to reading this text I had only informally used a writers notebook in my fifth grade classroom. This resource has changed that "informal" approach. This book shows the teacher how to successfully implement the writers notebook in the classroom, allowing for some individuality for the teacher and student to make it their own. Her specific ideas are quite useful for a beginner, and her laid back style of writing makes the book relate-able and an "easy" read.

Aimee Buckner writes a user friendly Step by step outline to using the writer's notebook in your classroom. It explains why you should use the writer's notebook with your students to help them jump start their writing. I used it with my third grade students this year, and their writing soared. I did not hear "I don't know what to write about!" because they knew that their writing ideas came directly from their writer's notebook. Lessons are clearly laid out. Can be used for any grade level, but I feel work best with students in grades 3-8. Great book!

This is not one of those books that will collect dust on a shelf. It will be read and reread many times! It is a great resource for any teacher of writing! Thank you Aimee Buckler! This book contains a wealth of organized and practical strategies that will add to any writing program. Buckler gives teachers easy to model tools to pass on to their students. She gives many examples from literature that can be used as springboards for specific areas. I will never look at notebooks the same! What an inspirational addition to my teaching library!

I am about to enter my student teaching, and I had to read this book for a class. It was wonderful! I loved the way she introduced the writers notebook to the children, she waited until they would be most interested, and then BAM writer's notebook! This is a must read if you want to use the writers workshop, which I highly recommend doing!

An awesome book for teachers that would like help with ideas for using writers' notebooks. Your will be able to provide motivational themes and ideas for all of your students including those that struggle.

Very practical and useful in every P/J classroom!

Use this every day I’m Grade 5. Fantastic program!

An easy to read entertaining book that truly inspires a love for writing! It's worth every penny!

Excellent book to help new teachers for starting or for older ones to rethink there teaching. Highly recommend.