IMAN ABUDULLAH is a seven-year-old who attends PS 39 in Brooklyn, New York. She loves to read, write nonfiction, and spend time with her family and friends.
Congratulations to 826 Digital Writers’ Showcase Finalist, Iman Abdullah! Watch her video and see the lesson below to learn how to write your own comparison poem. Read more about Iman and the other Writers’ Showcase finalists at www.826national.org/826-digital-writers-showcase-2023-finalists
STEP 1 Watch the video and follow along with the Mentor Text on page 1 of the I’m Like a Lion — Handout. Then, answer this question in your writing journal: What are 2 things the narrator had in common with birds? STEP 2 Next, choose an animal that you know a lot about—it can be an animal as familiar to you as a family pet, or one as unusual as a fire-breathing dragon! Follow the steps on page 2 of the handout to write and draw about your animal. STEP 3 Now you will brainstorm ideas about yourself! Follow...
by Molly Sprayregen, 826CHI
Writer and 826michigan staffer Denise Ervin writes alongside students to show what feelings sound like.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a character and show how a character would respond in a specific situation by writing dialogue, resulting in a silly scene.
by 826 National
Misinformation Specialist with Google Nidhi Hebbar shares how you can use writing to inspire change and bring people into conversations about the issues you care about.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will create a simple scrapbook that showcases the facts, definitions, and details you’ve learned about a few of the items you found in a scavenger hunt.
by Charlotte Yeung
Midwest Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador, Charlotte Yeung, shares one of her favorite brainstorming strategies for creating a new piece.
by 826 National, featuring Isaac Reynolds, Grade 6
What’s the moral of the story? In this lesson, students practice identifying and summarizing a moral in a fable written by a sixth grader.
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by Kinyel Friday, 826michigan
Children's book author and 826michigan staffer, Kinyel Friday, shares a social emotional learning prompt that uses personification to bring emotions to life.
by Daniel Handler
Author Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, shows there are no limits to imagination with this interviewing activity.
by 826 National
Novelist and short story writer, Caitlin Horrocks, reads "My Full Yard" by Marisol of 826michigan and reflects on the imagery used in the poem.
by 826 National, featuring Milo Wu, Grade 2, NY
In this lesson, you will introduce an animal you know a lot about as the narrator of a story. The narrator will provide descriptive details ask the reader "Guess who?" at the end.
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador
Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.
by 826 National
Author and illustrator Lisa Brown reads "Owl Girl. In this lesson, you will write a superhero story that introduces your character and establishes the context for your reader.
by 826 National, featuring Naomi Ku, Grade 6, 826LA
What is the story of your favorite food? In this lesson, you will use descriptive details and sensory words to write a narrative that shares more about your favorite food.
by 826 National, featuring Raiya Chhabra, Grade 5, VA
In this lesson, you will generate rhymes to use in a poem.
by Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett, a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children, illustrates how to end a story...or not.