59 Reasons to Write: Mini-Lessons, Prompts, and Inspiration for Teachers

by Kate Messner

In order to teach writing effectively, teachers must be writers themselves. They must experience the same uncertainty of starting a new draft and then struggling to revise. As they learn to move past the fear of failure, they discover the nervous rush and exhilaration of sharing work with an audience, just as their students do. Only by engaging in the real work of writing can teachers become part of the writing community they dream of creating for their students. Kate Messner's new book, 59 Reasons to Write, shows teachers and librarians who teach writing how to be stronger role models for their students. Writing for my students provided me with appropriate mentor texts to share,- she writes. Writing with my students made me a mentor and a far better teacher.- 59 Reasons to Write grew out of Messner's popular online summer writing camp, Teachers Write. Throughout the book she offers mini-lessons, writing prompts, and bursts of inspiration designed to get you writing every day, whether on your own or as part of a group. Dozens of guest authors also share their writing processes and secrets, from brainstorming ideas and organizing research to developing characters and getting unstuck from writer's block. 59 Reasons to Write is for anyone who has always wanted to write but never managed to get into the habit. Daily warm-ups will help you flex your writing muscles and energize your teaching. As Messner shares, One of the greatest gifts of writing is the way it nudges us to look more closely not only at the world but also at ourselves.

Genres: Adult, Writing, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Education

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2015

About the author

Kate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.

Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com

Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner

...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner

Reviews

[BookChampions · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trouble with books about "creative" writing is that despite all the great lessons and writing prompts, the organization makes it difficult to use for the classroom teacher. I have dozens of books like this, and throughout a school year, I'm poring through my collection for that lesson about fill-in-the-blank. But one of this book's strengths is the format: 59 lessons, organized into 9 or 10 chapters for easy reference for the classroom teacher.

But the biggest strength is its belief in its premise: that the best writing teachers actually write. Since being a part of my city's National Writing Project site is the single most impactful Professional Development I've ever had, this book is perfectly at home in my core beliefs. It is helping me tighten some of the classroom structure I've refining for next year, but it ALSO is helping me as a writer myself. Messner and her many guest writers aren't trying to convince me to be a teacher-writer. It assumes that I already am one, and gets right down to business.

I don't suggest flipping through this book or picking through the index. Read it from beginning to end; it's worth it.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to teachers wanting to improve their own writing or who are looking for authentic writing strategies to share with their students. Each of the 59 lessons offer tried and true writing strategies shared by authors our students know and love. I attempted each strategy after reading about it and would encourage others to do so as well. I now have new strategies and a composition notebook full of writing I can share with my students.

If you have not already, check out Kate Messner's free #TeachersWrite virtual summer writing camp http://www.katemessner.com/teachers-w...

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Kate Messner as a writer, so I suppose it's not a surprise that I really liked this book. That said, it isn't all her own writing: in the book she invites other writers to share what gets them going and what helps them keep writing. There is a lot that leads to story writing (as opposed to informational or argument writing), but there is a lot that can be adapted outside of a narrative writing unit, too. And several parts that just deal with getting started, getting past blocks, and just writing. Nice.

[Weisser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful help for the aspiring reader. Kate is wonderful and does a great job helping us move from teacher to teacher/writer!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for writing and becoming a writer. Next summer, I'm so joining the online writer's camp. The book is beginning to help me so much as a writer and teacher.

[J & J · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had little snippets here and there that I will use but I mostly liked the poetry section.

[Mr. Holt · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I found that I had to force myself to finish reading "59 Reasons to Write" by Kate Messner, there were a few takeaway ideas embedded within. However, to get the the treasure, I needed to wade through a bunch of unnecessary filler. The book's intent was to inspire teachers to be model writers for their students through various writing prompts and activities submitted by many authors and teachers. However, the text felt more like a touchy feely elementary school teachers hug-a-thon than a useful book. I was disappointed by the author's obvious sexism. There was one prompt or activity provided by a male. That was it. Most of the entries focused on inspiring females to write. I was appalled at the author's lack of compassion for all writers. I would not suggest this book to any teacher. Ralph Fletcher's book "Boys Writer" is really all you need.

[Rachel Strozeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book for our professional book club this year. It was a change from what we have read in the past, but knowing that we are all writing teachers we felt we should be writing more. I really enjoyed many of the writing activities, although I wish I had had time to write more. I think this book is great if you have a piece of writing that you are working on. I didn't as I read the book. It is also geared toward writing novels rather than picture books. I'm going to give this a go again with Kate Messner's Teacher Write 2016 this summer.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for teachers who WANT to write but who are afraid, don't know where to start, or both. Published authors share their honest trials, tribulations, journey and ideas to help teacher-writers begin (or continue) their own writing journey. Jo Knowles, in particular, provides excellent warm up ideas for both teachers and students alike.

[Cornelio Cano guzmán · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot the reading of this book. It has 59 mini-lessons that promotes writing. Actually, We don't need too many reasons to write, "if you really want to write, you can write. Amnd now is the best time to begin." Says the author from the very beginning in the book.

[Tricia DesJarlais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas that can be adapted for all ages!