Writing Wizards Heather Martin

This is just a simple booktalk podcast for the book Once by Morris Gleitzman.  Hopefully it will give you ideas on what you can do for your booktalk.

Print off the story below and have students edit it as they listen to the narration.

The Magic Conversation

Once Upon a time there was a Fifth Grade class who was confused about writing dialogue. They asked their fairy godteacher, Ms. Martin, to help them. Don’t worry. It’s very easy, she assured them. No it’s not! exclaimed Martin, the student. Yes it is, the stunningly beautiful teacher continued. All you need to do is remember that every time you change speakers, you indent as if you are beginning a new paragraph. But then I will have 40 paragraphs, said Stefan. Won’t that look weird? asked Nicole. No it won’t, and it is ok if you think you are going to have a million paragraphs, the fairy godteacher continued in her soothing voice, which was as sweet as the chocolate her students gave her everyday. If you look in your independent reading book you will find that when there is a dialogue between characters the new speaker always begins on the next line. Oh, I get it, said Jacob. This is easy! Sarah cried out with glee. Don’t forget to use commas, question marks, and exclamation points in the correct way, the lovely teacher added. Please just read the examples in this conversation we just had. Or, you can look in Write Source on pg. 116 for help. Thank you, the entire class chimed at the same time. They all returned to busily and joyfully writing their stories and continued to learn happily ever after.

The End