These days, we want to stay away from template or "cookie cutter" writing. This is the kind of writing where every child follows EXACTLY the same format for details or uses the same vocabulary words or transitional phrases. While we need to teach high order words and transitional devices, for sure, we want each child's voice and style to shine through. It is still important to model and show great examples. Just be sure children see and hear a variety of writing so they get a broad view and don't imprint on a single example.

I had to share one more photo from the students of Jennifer Triplett & Joyce Leenig. Look at the bottom of the photo to see the darling covered wagons they created to go with The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain. This was a learning experience these children will NEVER FORGET.

How thrilling it would be to become a child again...just to be in the classrooms of Jennifer Triplett & Joyce Leenig, teachers at Michigan Avenue Elementary, in Osceola County, Florida. After reading The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain, these two innovative teachers led their students through a variety of engaging activities, including making covered wagons and decorating straw hats. Hats off to the both of you!

Teachers will do ANYTHING to make sure their kids get excited about writing, and these teachers are living proof. Melanie Murphy, Karen Swinehart, Gil Naft, Torrey Ford, and Kelly Neel, from Hickory Creek Elementary in Jacksonville, Florida, show off the costumes they used to celebrate innovative ideas from their students. "After your training last year, we really took so many of your wonderful ideas and just ran with them.

Teachers from five states recently gathered at a variety of Melissa Forney Conferences, called "Writing Razzmatazz." Here, teachers Enid Gonzalez (left) & Ilen Jacir, from Miami, share the paper cutter to make manipulatives for their students.

Please be sure to download my new writing guide for kids, Young Writer's Survival Guide. It will be available for free here on my web site until October 1, 2009. At that time, it will go to press in Hong Kong to become a published book. Get it while it's hot! You'll love this guide that provides "how-to" information to help young writers do their best.

I'm behind in my blog. No excuses. Just busy traveling, speaking, teaching teachers, and enjoying family. We had a great family vacation in July. Laughing, eating, floating in the Lazy River, enjoying each other's company. Our son, Aaron, recently left his position as Worship Pastor in Satsuma, Alabama, to move 10 minutes from us. He is a Christian recording artist and will now use Orlando as his home base. All my chicks are close to home. What a blessing.

Our lovely little granddaughter, Tallulah Elissabeth Rossi, was dedicated last Sunday. The dress she is wearing was worn by her great, great grandmother in the hills of Kentucky over 100 years ago.