ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a rationale for children to use their own writers’ notebooks and to pursue personal writing projects through the planning of dedicated personal writing project weeks. It explains how providing substantial and sustained time for personal writing can have profound positive effects on children’s attitudes, writing progress and academic achievements. The chapter gives specific guidance on how teachers can set up writers’ notebooks with their class. It explains the connection between home- and school-based writing and gives advice on how to manage, organise and have high expectations for personal writing weeks. This includes advice on: keeping writing registers; encouraging daily writing momentum; setting up classroom and independent publishing houses and how to deal with children’s sensitive or contentious topic choices.
