September Writer’s
Notebook Activities
 “A writer’s notebook can be many things: a place to make
mistakes, to experiment, to record overheard conversations or
family stories, to remember an inspiring quotation, to free
associate, to ask questions, to record beautiful or unusual
language, to jot down the seeds of unborn stories or story
beginnings, to tell the truth or to lie, to record memories. to
embellish memories, to remember what you’ve been reading, to
record stories you’ve heard about other people, to remember one
word that conjures up an image, to remember things you’re
surprised by, to observe, to record impressions, or to describe a
picture or a person or an image you can’t get our of your head. A
writer’s notebook is a receptacle, a tool to hold on to things.”
 Joanne Hindley,
 In the Company of Children
Firsts…Lasts…
 Make a list of as many “firsts” and “lasts” that you can
remember. They can be positive or negative
memories!
 Pencils or pens moving
 Lips closed
 Eyes on your own paper
Tonight’s Writer’s Notebook
Activity is…
 Talk to someone at home that knew you when you were
younger. Have them tell you a story about something
you did when you were little – something silly, funny,
mischievous – and write it down in your notebook.
Best…Worst…
 Make a list of as many “bests” and “worsts” that you
can remember. They can be positive or negative
memories!
 Pencils or pens moving
 Lips closed
 Eyes on your own paper
Tonight’s Writer’s Notebook
activity is…
 Find a quote or saying that is inspirational. You might
have to do some googling or talking to adults at home.
Write down the quote, and tell why you like it and what
it means to you.
Authority List
 What are you an “authority” on? What things are you an
expert on? They can be specific or general.
 Pencils or pens moving
 Lips closed
 Eyes on your own paper
Tonight’s Writer’s Notebook
activity is…
One thing you never knew
about me…
If I could travel back in time to a point in my
life, I would go back to when…
Use the following as
prompts…
 Writing makes me think…
 Writing makes me feel…
 One thing I would change about my writing…
 One thing I would keep the same about my writing…
One thing I will always
remember…
Timeline of your elementary
school years….
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” –
Nelson Mandela
What does this quote
mean to you? Can you
think of a time when it
applied to you?
When I Was Young in the
Mountains
 Listen to today’s story. Think about your own family.
How does the story give you ideas about your own
memories of your family? Does it trigger any memories
from your past that include your family?
Indoor Observations
 Listen and observe around you. Jot down anything you
are noticing – conversations, noises, what you see,
smell, or feel.
 Just write it down…you can figure the rest out later!
Outdoor Observations
 Listen and observe around you. Jot down anything you
are noticing – conversations, noises, what you see,
smell, or feel.
 Just write it down…you can figure the rest out later!
Fun Stairs!
 Now it's your turn to try the fun theory. Choose a task
that is typically boring and make it fun! Describe why
your game or "angle" on the chore is more entertaining.
 Tell about a time when you were doing something
incredibly boring or dull and something turned it
around.
What does this mean to you
now?
 “A writer’s notebook can be many things: a place to make
mistakes, to experiment, to record overheard conversations or
family stories, to remember an inspiring quotation, to free
associate, to ask questions, to record beautiful or unusual
language, to jot down the seeds of unborn stories or story
beginnings, to tell the truth or to lie, to record memories. to
embellish memories, to remember what you’ve been reading, to
record stories you’ve heard about other people, to remember one
word that conjures up an image, to remember things you’re
surprised by, to observe, to record impressions, or to describe a
picture or a person or an image you can’t get our of your head. A
writer’s notebook is a receptacle, a tool to hold on to things.”
 Joanne Hindley,
 In the Company of Children