This blog is about two fun (and easy ) lessons to use next week to help your students learn about voice. But first, congratulations to my writing pal (and Co-SCBWI Regional Advisor for CA North/Central), Patricia M.
Newman on her new picture book, NUGGET ON THE FLIGHT DECK (Walker 2009), an adventure story packed with words and phrases straight off an aircraft carrier--and a perfect example of Voice.
Take Newman's character Lieutenant Jake Guttman (aka Gutts) who tells young Nugget, "My first hop was at zero-dark-thirty, and I'm running on empty."
What is voice? My teacher, Mrs. Uhrig, who had us write in journals, helped me find mine. If you let kids write in their own style--and not worry too much about correct grammar and punctuation in their journals, many will relax and turn out original thoughts and phrases. Poetry helps too. (But that's another blog entry!) And then there are these two tried and true tricks--I mean assignments : ) --you can use:
Try this easy lesson for students of any age:
Step 1-2: After you've read Newman's book to your students, list the Air Force vocabulary (and easy definitions) featured in NUGGET ON THE FLIGHT DECK. Or use JINGLE THE BRASS (Walker2004), in which Newman incorporates railroad slang for a fun train ride on a steam locomotive! "Climb aboard and ride the point!")
Step 3: Model--Choose two volunteers. Direct them to try to use as many phrases as possible in a conversation in front of the class.
Step 4: Discussion--Ask the class what they noticed about each student as they acted out the conversation.
Did the tone of their voices change when they used the phrases? Were their sentences short
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