In some ways, it’s too bad that the curÂricuÂlum in most schools calls for writÂing perÂsonÂal narÂraÂtives at the beginÂning of the school year because I think stuÂdents could learn a lot by craftÂing a perÂsonÂal narÂraÂtive about the process of researchÂing, writÂing, and revisÂing an inforÂmaÂtionÂal writÂing assignment.
What do I mean by that? Well, lateÂly, I’ve been thinkÂing about my nonÂficÂtion book-makÂing process as a livÂing stoÂry. Even though I write (mostÂly) exposÂiÂtoÂry nonÂficÂtion, there is a stoÂry, a perÂsonÂal narÂraÂtive, behind every book I create.
I docÂuÂmentÂed the stoÂry of craftÂing DeadÂliest AniÂmals in a series of blog posts, which I bunÂdled togethÂer on this PinÂterÂest board.
I told the stoÂry behind No MonÂkeys, No ChocoÂlate in this interÂacÂtive timeÂline.
Based on quesÂtions and feedÂback from stuÂdents and teachÂers, I creÂatÂed a modÂiÂfied interÂacÂtive timeÂline with infoÂgraphÂic eleÂments to describe the expeÂriÂence of writÂing Can an AardÂvark Bark?
I creÂatÂed these mateÂriÂals as eduÂcaÂtionÂal resources for teachÂers and stuÂdents, so they could see and hear and underÂstand a proÂfesÂsionÂal writer’s process. My goal was to pull back the curÂtain, so that stuÂdents could see that my expeÂriÂence is very simÂiÂlar to their own.
But, surÂprisÂingÂly, I profÂitÂed from the process myself. By thinkÂing through and relivÂing the expeÂriÂence, I noticed things that I conÂsisÂtentÂly do wrong, allowÂing me to brainÂstorm ways to work smarter. I was able to ask othÂer writÂers tarÂgetÂed quesÂtions about their process, and experÂiÂment with the techÂniques and strateÂgies they suggested.
I think young writÂers could also benÂeÂfit from telling their stoÂries of creÂation. ImagÂine stuÂdents using tools like FlipÂgrid or Padlet or audio recordÂings or stoÂryÂboardÂing to docÂuÂment their nonÂficÂtion writÂing expeÂriÂences. They could address some of the folÂlowÂing questions:
- What was my process?
- What chalÂlenges did I face?
- How did I overÂcome them?
- Who or what helped me?
- What might I try difÂferÂentÂly the next time?
This activÂiÂty will help to solidÂiÂfy the steps of the nonÂficÂtion writÂing process in their minds, which as I disÂcuss in this post, can realÂly help some stuÂdents. It would also offer a fun, authenÂtic form of self-assessÂment and a startÂing point for diaÂlogue with others.
Why not give it a try?
I LOVE this post! It’s inforÂmaÂtive and so encourÂagÂing, teachÂing us that writÂing a book can be a long process. The end-prodÂuct is great (hopeÂfulÂly), but the process is just as imporÂtant to acknowlÂedge. Thank you.
Thanks, Julie. It is a jourÂney, and it takes as long as it takes.
These timeÂlines are inforÂmaÂtive and encourÂagÂing. PerÂsisÂtence pays. I also love that you found some helpÂful insights about your own writÂing process as you were creÂatÂing these resources for teachÂers and students.
Yes, I wasÂn’t expectÂing to learn anyÂthing myself, but I did. There’s always someÂthing new to learn about the craft of nonÂficÂtion writing.
I love the idea of reflectÂing more on the process! Will try this with kids for sure!
Let me know how it goes!