Memoir
Getting to Know the Genre

As with any genre study, you should begin by enjoying and responding to books as readers. What does this mean? Basically this: set aside time each day to read, react to and celebrate a book from your collection. Talk about the books and relate to the common experiences they explore. Set aside one week for this portion of the study.

It is a guilty pleasure, I know, to take time out of our busy school day to “simply” read and enjoy books with our students. But trust and be assured that this reading is important work and well worth the time you will spend doing it. As you continue your genre study, you will study the writer’s process and craft. You and your students will be much better equipped to do this work if you have already reacted to the books as readers.

After you have read all the books in your collection, ask your students to help you create a chart that answers the question “What is Memoir?”

Chart: What is Memoir?

Memoir Collections K- 5