Writing, Self-Publishing, Book Marketing

Become a Published Author Before Graduation Day: Innovative Lesson Plans

September 11, 2008 at 2:18 pm angiekp Leave a comment

Every one of us, no matter our age, has a story to tell; and teachers across the country are empowering their students to tell theirs. With online access to self-publishing companies, such as Wordclay available to anyone, publishing is a surefire way to spark students’ interest in reading and writing (and have some fun).

Using Wordclay in the classroom is quite simple for a few reasons:

• User-friendly design is built right into the program. No training is necessary to utilize the Web site. You can sit down at your computer and begin using the publishing program instantly. An online wizard leads you step-by-step through the process.
• Teachers already have all the tools they need. There’s no software you need to install or purchase to publish because Wordclay uses software that school systems already have, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader. You can start working right away.
• Turnaround time is fast. Not only is the actual online publishing program fast, but the printing time is fast, too. You could have a finished, printed book in your hands within a couple of weeks – not months.

If you’re a teacher, a parent, administrator or student, you can (and should) be publishing. A DIY self-publishing program, such as Wordclay, is adaptable to any grade level and has loads of educational benefits. Students see that hard work pays off, and they have something to show for it when they can hold their own printed book in their hands.

In fact, Wordclay recently published Rain White and the Seven 3rd Graders, which was written by a group of students in New Jersey participating in just such a school project. Their teacher gave them a highly involved assignment, including writing and making a book, and then trying to get it published. And they did. I think they deserve an A+, (as well as their teacher) for a marvelous job well done.

-Angie

Entry filed under: Publishing, Reading & Writing. Tags: authors, lesson plan, Publishing, students, teachers, Writing.