What did I find so fascinating? In a quick run through, I'll highlight the areas I found to be especially interesting and add comments on how they could be used in the classroom.
1. Free bi-weekly newsletter. What a perfect opportunity to get kids to read about writing. You may even want to consider subscribing to other writing magazines such as Writer's Digest. Students just may realize that English does have a purpose and there are many people in this world who make a living reading and writing!!!
2. Writing tips. Sometimes students think their teachers make stuff up just to bore them and ruin their chances of ever watching anything on the tube. By getting students to read these writing tips, they may actually improve their writing and not blame you for all the rewriting they'll have to do.
3. First Writing Course. Yes, you read correctly. Writing-World.com is offering an 8 week course entitled "Breaking into the Magazine and Periodical Market" which is scheduled to begin January 15, 2002. There are some magazines that WANT articles written by children for other children. Be sure to make your students aware of this. How proud your students would be if they could see their own writing in PRINT! I can't think of a better motivator except for the money they'll earn by having their articles accepted. Of course, not all magazines will pay writers, but even a free magazine with the article in PRINT is payment enough for many.
4. Excellent Articles. Let me give you an idea of the types of articles you'll find by listing some titles: "Email Queries and Submissions: How to Keep Editors Happy" "From Self-Published Novelist to Best-Selling Author"-this one shares the story of Richard Paul Evans and his first novel The Christmas Box. (a perfect time of year to read the article while reading the book with your class!). "How to Improve Your Writing Without Writing a Word" --doesn't that sound like a title students would appreciate??
5. Rights and Copyright. Students need to know about this. I've had too many students plagiarize and not think a thing about it.
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