Spark! Quick Writes to Kindle Hearts and Minds in Elementary Classrooms The act of writing doesn't just convey our thinking; it shapes our thinking. Literacy expert Paula Bourque, author of Close Writing: Developing Purposeful Writers in Grades 2-6, now brings to K-6 classrooms "quick writes"--short, frequent bursts of low-stakes writing that allow young students to explore on paper. Bourque presents a way for children to create a rich array of writing, nurturing a range of skills: mindfulness, metacognitive skills, and a mindset of reflection, motivation, and gratitude. Spark! offers purposeful, practical, and enjoyable approaches that meet your students where they are in their writing development. Using the tools in this volume, you will see tangible results in your classroom: Increased volume and stamina of your writers Deeper thinking and discovery of their voices as writers More effective and confident communication Engagement with visual, auditory, and verbal art that stimulates thinking Exploration and appreciation of the diverse thinking of others Even in a tight schedule, Bourque's tools of "thinking and inking" can enliven your students' writing experiences.