Thinking Like a Kid

Objective

To define children's literature.
To remember the way a kid thinks, and this model to shape ideas for the book.

Activities

1. Freewrite: write everything you know about children's literature. Share and discuss.
   
   Sample Discussion Questions:
   • What is children's literature?
   • What were you favorite books as a kid?
   • What are the different types of kid books? (picture, text, fiction [realistic/fantasy], non-fiction)
2. Have the kids do a writing and illustration exercise about a childhood memory. Share. (FOR WEBSITE: ALEXANDRA HAS SAMPLE DRAWINGS THAT CAN BE SCANNED IN AND POSTED.) Talk about importance of interacting with 8-10 year olds. What do we assume about them (compare the facts and the fictions of our assumptions)? What do we think they like? What do they really like?
3. Conclude the class saying something like, "to write for a kid you have to think like a kid," and assign homework journal question and book report.
4. Ask them to bring any kid books from home they'd like to share for our "elements of storytelling" discussions the first two weeks.