A great way to differentiate writing is through a writer's notebook. There are many ways to use a writer's notebook in the classroom. Its versatility is what makes it such a valuable tool. Students are able to participate in the same activity (writing) while all doing it on their own level. They're able to go into as much creative depth as they choose to and they're able to do it at a level they're comfortable with. The beauty of this is that high standards can be held from the teacher for each student and as they write every day they become better writers no matter what their starting point is. Using writer's notebooks in the classroom provides ample opportunity for the teacher to engage students in broad and diverse literature. That might be as simple as spending 10 minutes or less doing a read aloud before students do their own writing each day. This can give students an idea of what good writing (and reading) sounds like, exposes them to higher vocabulary and can inspire new ideas to form for writing material.
 Keep scrolling for more details on what a writer's notebook is and resources for how to use it.
	Some general must dos:
We write in our notebooks every day
We use words from our word wall
There are at least two-three sections that are student chosen
We use red tape to mark pages that are private
Directions:
Step one: Grab students attention by explaining that they are going to become real writers in this class. Every great author has a writer's notebook. A writer's notebook is a notebook that authors carry everywhere with them and they write down ideas, experiences, dreams, words, names, descriptions of scenes and thoughts. Tell the students these notebooks are truly theirs to make their own and invite them to customize their notebook with stickers, drawings, pictures and anything else they want. Spend a good chunk of the first introduction letting students decorate their notebooks.
Step Two: Have students create sections in their notebooks using tabs. You can have them add as many as you'd like but around 5-6 would be ideal. (Tip: tell students the page numbers in each section can be random, don't waste time counting pages to make the book even). Some section ideas are: word wall words, mental health, language arts notes, writing prompts, and allow the students to choose 2-3 categories for themselves. 
Step Three: Explain the must dos to your students and set a schedule to make writing time part of your daily routine.

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