December 6, 2022

Inspired Writers Provides a Strong Reading Connection

Do you struggle with getting students to write? Having a strong reading connection leads to a strong writing connection. Inspired Writers was created to help students make that connection. Then they apply what they learned to their own writing.

What is Inspired Writers?

Inspired Writers is actually the name of a book written by Jen Bengel. This book helps teachers by providing strategies to help teach writing. Writing is often the hardest subject to teach. Inspired Writers guides teachers through all of the stages of writing. It lays the foundation by suggesting how to set up notebooks for writer's workshop, plan, schedule, conference, revise, edit and so much more! If you have not read this book, I highly suggest that you do. Even teachers that have been teaching for a long time will find nuggets of wisdom in this book.

But What About the Lessons?

Out of the book, lessons were created for teachers. There is power in the reading and writing connection. Writing magic happens when students can immediately transfer what they notice while reading into their own writing work! These Inspired Writer activities are designed to seamlessly bridge the reading and writing connection so that young students can grow to become amazing, inspired writers!

How are Inspired Writers Lessons Organized?

There are 3 steps to follow when applying the learning.

Read and think like a writer.
Reflect on good writing.
Try writing on your own.

These lessons follow that format making teaching writing easy. Students are provided with a reading passage. Each story focuses on a writer's craft. Students identify how the writer used this strategy. Then they apply it to their own writing.

Ideas for Using

As mentor texts during a whole group lesson in reading and writing!
In a small guided writing group.
In a writing center.
As independent writing practice.
As a homework review.
At the start of a writing unit to practice developing characters.

Topics Covered in Inspired Writers Lessons

There are 10 stories in each unit with original custom art. Draft writing paper is provided. They are available in both print and digital formats. If you need to work on a particular skill, click on the topics above and go straight to the item. Purchase these individually or purchase the bundle for even bigger savings.

Wanting more information on Writing? Check out this blog post on Writers Workshop by clicking here.