In this minilesson from Franki Sibberson’s grades 3 and 4 classroom, Franki takes students through the process of selecting and revising titles. She uses the poem “Confessions of a Reader” by Carol Wilcox as a mentor text.
For young students having trouble understanding that writing revision involves more than just adding text, a minilesson on revising titles is a quick and easy way to show the power of making small changes to drafts.
You can view of copy of the “Confessions of a Reader” poem just below the player.
(Programming Note: Franki conducted this lesson during the morning snack break, so there is a bit of munching and crunching going on!)
Confessions of a Reader
by Carol Wilcox
Almost spring.
A spider
Stakes a claim
On a corner
Of the eight-foot window
In our living room.
Each morning
I admire
Taut guidelines
Carefully placed spokes.
Dancing gown threads,
Architecture unrivaled.
My mother
Would not tolerate
Such slovenly housekeeping.
She would get a broom
And knock down
This errant squatter’s palace.
I do not.
I am waiting for Charlotte
To leave a message.
