Heart Maps: Writing for Students

"Heart Maps" is a book that Donalyn Miller, the author of "The Book Whisperer," will use and recommend to teachers for years to come. Jennifer Serravallo, the author of "The Reading Strategies Book" and "The Writing Strategies Book," stated that you'll find yourself relying on this book again and again as a trusted source as you help your student writers craft a writing life.

For decades, Georgia Heard has guided students into more authentic writing experiences by using heart maps to explore what we all hold inside: feelings, passions, vulnerabilities, and wonderings. In "Heart Maps," Georgia shares 20 unique, multi-genre heart maps to help your students write from the heart, such as the First Time Heart Map, Family Quilt Heart Map, and People I Admire Heart Map. You'll also find extensive support for using heart maps, including tips for getting started with heart maps, writing ideas to jumpstart student writing in multiple genres from heart maps, and suggested mentor texts to provide additional inspiration.

"For twenty years I've been a tour guide of sorts for heart-mapping writers," says Georgia. "All you need is paper, pen, an open heart and a willingness to explore what matters to you." It is this freedom, this idea of discovery, that makes heart-mapping so inviting; students find they have a lot to write about both beloved and newly discovered topics.

The book is filled with full-color student heart maps, examples of the resulting writing, along with online access to 20 different uniquely designed reproducible heart map templates. "Heart Maps" will be a practical tool for awakening new writing possibilities and engaging and motivating your students' writing throughout the year.

How do we get students to "ache with caring" about their writing instead of mechanically stringing words together? We spend a lot of time teaching the craft of writing, but we also need to devote time to helping students write with purpose and meaning. "Heart Maps" provides a solution to this challenge, empowering students to write from a place of authenticity and self-discovery.

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