Less Talking, More Writing
In this episode of Picture This, host Adam Lehrhaupt sits down with Milken Educator Award winner Patty McGee, often called "The Writer Whisperer." With experience serving over 50,000 students, Patty shares her "fast routine" for literacy: The teacher does less so the students can do more.
They dive into the "Somebody Wanted, But, So" framework, the power of questionable endings, and why fan fiction is the ultimate reciprocal love between authors and students. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a veteran librarian, Patty’s insights on "elbow room" in writing will change how you view your next 20-minute lesson.
✨ Key Takeaways for Educators & Librarians:
- The 2-Minute Rule: Start with a 2-minute "pointer" or tip, then let the kids write for the remaining 18 minutes. Proportional feedback is the key to growth.
- The "Writer Hat" Strategy: Learn how to transition students from "reading like a reader" to "reading like a writer" by asking: "What did this author do that I can also do?"
- Revision Hacks: How to use "real estate" on a page to make revision feel like a fun before-and-after comparison rather than a tedious chore.
- Layered Parfait Strategy: Increasing the sophistication of writing prompts across grade levels while keeping the core strategy consistent for K-12 students.
- The Power of the Fan Fic: Why inviting students to send your characters on "further adventures" is the best way to spark engagement.
🔑 Chapters:
- 03:42: The Secret to Fast Writing: Slowing down the teacher.
- 05:40: Using Picture Books as Mentor Texts: The "What did the author do?" frame.
- 08:17: Becoming a "Co-Author": Critiquing books from the inside out.
- 10:40: Why "Questionable Endings" spark the most student curiosity.
- 13:20: The Revision Hack: Managing page "real estate" for young writers.
- 17:42: Scaling prompts from Kindergarten to High School.
- 23:43: Adam’s Book Bag: Independent Dames by Laurie Halse Anderson.
- 26:46: Story Sparks: The unique (and often hilarious) beauty of "Kid Language."
📚 Featured in this Episode:
- This Is a Good Story by Adam Lehrhaupt.
- Independent Dames by Laurie Halse Anderson (Perfect for Revolutionary War research and teaching text structure!).
- Runny Babbitt by Shel Silverstein (Embracing the freedom of mixed-up words).
🔗 Connect with Patty McGee:
- Website: PattyMcGee.org (Note: That’s Patty with a "y"!)
- Resources: Look for Patty's work with districts and schools to turn writing into a student-led adventure.
🔗 Connect with Adam Lehrhaupt:
