This is the Graffiti Wall outside my classroom. I got the idea from Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer. It's black butcher paper stapled to the wall. We will use it to write quotes/favorite lines from books we read. We'll write on it using metallic markers. Students will share their quotes with me, then I'll hand them a marker to write on the wall. My students will write the title of the book, the author's name, and the page number where the line can be found. (Again, all of these ideas are from Donalyn Miller.)
I didn't introduce it until the second week of school. I thought I'd establish my reading community first, and I think that was the right decision. To do this, we read some great picture books together:
We read:
C.R. Mudgeon by Leslie Muir & illustrated by Julian Hector (a sweet picture book about a hedgehog who is stuck in a rut!) His new neighbor is named Paprika, and she is VERY different. It's a great story about friendship.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
This is a GREAT picture book about a bear who has lost his hat. It's a very clever, and it inspires a lot of debate/discussion. My 4th graders loved it. We still talk about this one. (Buy a copy for yourself!) My students are reading more and more, and they are learning to spot quality writing. When I read picture books aloud, I highlight lines I think are really terrific.
Now when I read aloud, THEY are pointing out the lines to me.
"That should go on our wall," they say.
This was the first quote:
(Capture the Flag is a middle grade chapter book that's making its rounds in my classroom these days! Check out all of Kate Messner's books!)
When the wall is filled, I'll take a picture of it, take it down, and put up another sheet of butcher paper.
It's a display that doubles as a writing tool. But it's also a way we capture the word gems we come across. I'm anxious to see how it looks when it's filled!
Thanks, Donalyn! You continue to inspire teachers with your great ideas!
