Write It

We know who you are. You're a poet, a writer, the student in the class who can tell the difference between a simile and a metaphor. You scribble down ideas on napkins, keep a journal, write short stories — just for the fun of it. Now there's a Web site where you can learn from other teen writers, get great advice, and showcase your work. Best of all, it's FREE!

Sponsored by Scholastic's SCOPE magazine, Write It is run by students just like you who share a love of the written word.

BRAINSTORM

Opinion-Based Journalism

Every newspaper has an Op-Ed section where editors weigh in on important issues with strong opinions. This type of journalistic piece reads like a compact persuasive essay. Op-Ed pieces are usually under 500 words. With that in mind, when writing one you must convince the reader of your opinion in a very short space. While it’s essential in an Op-Ed to appeal to your reader through logical arguments, it’s also very important to keep your reader reading with an entertaining, engaging style.

Your turn!

1. Pick a topic or issue about which you feel passionately.

2. Gather as much evidence as you can to support your point of view.

3. Now write a succinct, persuasive Op-Ed in under 500 words.

Scholastic Store

The Scholastic Store

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #6: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword

by Anne Mazer

Abby can't wait for the fifth-grade newspaper - until she's picked to write an advice column. How can she give advice when her own life is out of control? Abby just knows that the column will get her into trouble. But she doesn't guess is that it might be the way to help a friend. Abby's class is starting a newspaper, and Abby's ready to be the star reporter. Then she's picked to write an advice column. Abby can't imagine giving advice to anyone when her own life is out of control! And she definitely doesn't want to be known as Dear Abby. Just as she suspects, the column gets Abby in some trouble with her classmates. But, surprisingly, it also gives her a chance to help a friend.

$4.50 You save: 10%
books;paperback books;paperbacks | Ages 8-12

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #6: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword

Ages 8-12 $4.50

Teacher Store

The Teacher Store

Sprint Plus Student Workshop Consumable Workbook

The Sprint Plus consumable workbook includes 40 blackline masters to assess and build skills in vocabulary, phonics, word attack, and comprehension. See below for additional recommendations.

$3.50
Reproducible | Grades 4-6

Sprint Plus Student Workshop Consumable Workbook

Grades 4-6 $3.50

LESSON PLAN	Let's Forecast the Weather! Offers a lesson in meteorology and weather forecasting. Students perform mock weather forecasts and videotape them.

UNIT PLAN	Literacy for Life Student success must extend beyond the classroom. Using newspapers and magazines in the classroom entices students to build a lifelong reading habit.

ONLINE ACTIVITY	Storytelling Workshop Share in the magic of creating and telling stories with voice and body language.