Lesson Plan

• Present "Jenny Writes" to your students in exactly the same way that you would read a picture book to them. Invite them to gather around you in a semicircle on the floor as you read each page, show students the picture, and ask them questions about the picture:
  • Which person is Rosa? What is she writing?
  • Which person is reading a book about dogs? His name is Luke.
  • Which person is left? His name is Ben. What is Ben writing about?
• After the first time that you read, "Jenny wonders," pause for the students to see if they can call out, "What can I write?"
• When you reach the final page, read Jenny's writing aloud.
• Lead a discussion about the different ways that students write and ask what kind of writing each student wants to do.

Classroom Applications

Large Group

• Present page 14 again to your whole class. Ask them what Luke is writing about. Point out that Luke is writing about dogs because he knows a lot about dogs. Write "What we know a lot about" on the board and ask students what things they know a lot about. List each answer that they offer, and add some answers of your own. Then hand out "Something I Know About" and have students draw and/or write to complete the activity.

Small Group

• Explain to students that a story tells about a fun experience and a poem uses words that rhyme. Tell students they can write either a story or a poem.
• Meet with the students who want to write a story and tell them about a fun experience you had. Then ask them to tell about fun experiences they had. If students are shy, prompt them by asking about a fun trip somewhere, or a special party, or a time with a friend or family member. Provide "A Fun Time" and have students complete it to draw and write about a fun experience.
• Meet with the students who want to write a poem. Point out that rhyming words have the same ending sounds. Provide "Rhyming Words" to students and read the words aloud to them. Ask them to pick their two favorite rhyming words and write them at the ends of the lines. Then work with them to think of words that could come before them. Let students dictate their poems while you write them.

Individual

• Present pages 18 and 19 to students, and ask why it is silly. Ask students what silly ideas they have. Hand out "A Silly Idea" and have students draw and write about their silly ideas.
• Ask students to share their writing with each other—stories, poems, and silly ideas. Ask students what writing they really enjoy and why. Challenge them to do similar writing of their own. Provide more sharing time to help establish the writing community in your classroom.