Finding Inspiration in a Fifth-Grade Classroom

At the Boston Book Festival last fall, I met fifth-grade teacher Elaine Temel, who kindly bought my book (thank you!) and then asked if I would consider coming to talk to her students. A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting her classes at West Vine Street School in Pawcatuck, CT.

Stepping into her fifth-grade classroom, I could immediately feel the joyful energy Elaine has inspired in her students for reading and writing. I peeked at the range of books that students were reading independently, browsed the books she’d displayed from cultures around the world, admired the selection for Black History month, read her tips on the writing process, and smiled at the Boston Bruins reading corner. I didn’t want to leave this inspiring classroom at the end of the day!

I loved talking to fifth-grade students about the writing process—from finding inspiration to brainstorming ideas to writing. . .and revising (lots of revising)! Students wrote their own stories and then (my favorite part!) shared them. Another highlight of the day was getting to have lunch with a group of aspiring authors. We discussed their dreams of writing journalism, novels, and poetry—and we even traded tips about reading under the covers! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the visit (thanks again, Elaine and West Vine Street School!).