Today, I introduced to the sixth grade their first thoughts to ponder on. Thoughts to ponder on are quotes, questions, pictures, etc that I want my students to respond to in their writer’s notebook. I was amazed at how well my sixth graders worked. They had time to write and they USED it! Some were still writing when I was ready to go on to the next step. I am pleased by their eagerness to write. I can’t wait until Thursday when we discuss more in depth their writing territories and what they can write about in their notebooks. I had 3 students even ask if they could take it home to write. I said if you have the inspiration to write then write.
One of my thoughts to ponder on is a quote by Abraham Lincoln. I think it is very profound. 
Whatever you are be a good one.
After Labor Day my students will be required to write in their writer’s notebooks during class and at home. This is my first time doing this, so I hope it goes well. Seventh grade seems to be doing fine with thoughts to ponder on. I wonder if it is because I taught them last year how to respond to Literature with their response logs. I guess I’ll see later. This is possible inquiry.
Have you looked at the Lucy Calkins’ Unit of Study box set for grades 3 -5? (I imagine you have.) Anyhoo — the homework she offers on the cd (2 – 3 different possibilities with each lesson) really stretched my thinking on writer’s notebook homework. Would love to know what you do for wn homework. When I was in the classroom, wn homework was pretty sporadiac. When I go back, I think this will be one thing I’ll be a stickler on — wn homework on a regular basis.
PS — Great quote from Abe.
So far the WN homework has been sporadic. Thursday, we made a list of writing territories that they could use to write about at home. I have also printed off some topics that they can use too. I am going to have them paste the sheets into their notebooks.