Engaging writers...

It always seems to be a surprise when the little things become the big things.

This week and last in my Early Level 3 writers workshop, we were looking at being observant writers - looking at the detail.
To do this, we took a rather bland looking Spray & Wipe trigger top.  The question was posed... how does this work?

We discussed in buddies what we thought happened, then we came together as a group to share - we wrote all our good words on the board.  Then we took an actual look at the trigger top... lots of discoveries were made and more words added to our initial list.

The writing of students became so much clearer.  Being able to use the word bank that they collaborated on, crossing off the words when they are used was a powerful tool. 
They are using precise nouns, strong verbs, structuring their writing in sequence, editing when rereading...  discussion and reflection when there were disagreements about how each had explained, asking questions, sharing of evidence to prove their point.
Care being taken of the trigger top so that they could use it in the next writing session.... mostly boys. 
The feeling of success that they are being good writers - observant writers.  Writers, full-stop.
Now to label our trigger nozzle.