The important things about a blog is that...

you can share lots of ideas.

Some are old and some are new.

You meet new people and collaborate.

You become a better teacher.

But the important thing about a blog is that you can share lots of ideas.

Now I know that this idea would fall into the "old idea" category but I had forgotten about using the Important Book  and thought that you might have forgotten about it, too....or  maybe it is even new to you.

Anyway, the basic premise of the idea is to use Margaret Wise Brown's classic, The Important Book, as a model for your students' writing. I love using important books in my classroom. 

Here are some ways that we've used in our class: 

-Summarizing chapters in a novel 

"The important thing about Chapter Three is that Nana comes to visit....." 

-Writing our own nonfiction texts in content areas
"The important thing about your heart is that it pumps blood to your body...."
-Writing special books about classmates 
"The important thing about Stephanie is that she is a great friend...."

This is a great template to use when you want your students to work on main idea and detail.  It is a great tool to use when you are working with struggling writers. The format is structured so that everybody is successful. Whenever we write an Important Book we always have an author's read aloud. The best part is that my kiddos are always so darn proud of their important books. Love it! 

For your free Important book template click HERE.

Also, don't forget about my 100 Follower Giveaway!!!!

I will be giving away a $30 Target gift card. Think about all of the damage you could do at the dollar spot with $30 dollars. :)

I really hope they have the gift card in the image above available! It is so cute! 

To Enter: 
-Follow my blog and leave a comment w/your email address saying that you are a follower....
-If you are already a follower, you can play, too!  Just leave me comment telling me that you already follow my blog.
-Don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

Drawing ends  next Tuesday (Feb. 26th)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Thanks so much for entering! :)

Well, I am off to school now! Nothing like a little early morning blogging. :)
Happy Wednesday!