For the month of March I will be participating in the Slice of Life 
Challenge sponsored by The Two Writing Teachers Blog. Each day I will be sharing a Quick Write as my way of slicing. The idea is to offer a SPARK that will kindle thinking and then write as quickly as you can for 5-10 minutes. No filters, no revisions. I’ve been curating a collection of Sparks and will share some with you all month. It’s a great way to ignite your writing life.
Book Trailers Spark!
Book trailers are intended as video advertisements for books, but I also see them as an art form. they visually entice readers to consider titles they may not have otherwise thought about. We can use trailers to activate student thinking before they hold a text in their hands. Quick writes in response to viewing a trailer can give students a chance to ponder, consider, or evaluate potential future reads. It’s a great way to build a reading/writing connection.
There are several ways to SPARK this quick write:
“Trailer Tuesday” Each Tuesday (which by the way is the day of the week new books are released -think Book Birthdays) you can share a book trailer and invite students to quick write a response. Would they be interested or not? Why? If they’ve read it, would they recommend it? Why?
“Battle of the Books”- show two book trailers and invite students to quick write which of the two they would put closer to the top of their TBR (To Be Read) Pile. Why? What does the trailer make them think?
There are lots of ways kids could quick write about these including: I think____ might enjoy this book. This book reminds me of ___. I wish there was a book trailer for____, This book makes me wonder_____. You could also just invite them to write whatever they’re thinking.
Here is my collection of middle grade book trailers. I also have one for Picture Books and will build ones for YA and nonfiction when I get a little free time. Feel free to check these out. Can you tell which book trailer I quick wrote about below?
Since I’ve already read all of these books my quick write was more of a response to the book that was triggered by the trailer. Trailers can inspire new choices or help us reflect on past reads. And they are a lot of fun! Give it a try and please send me links to any of your favorites so I can add it to my Padlet.
litcoachlady 
I love all of your ideas. Thanks for sharing the padlet of book trailers.
This padlet is such a treasure. You have a wonderful collection of book trailers and I so appreciate you sharing!
You’re welcome. Spread the book love!
Front Desk! We read this book last year as part of our Mock Newbery. I am thrilled with the padlet you shared. What a gift to our community!
You got it!
Your post inspired me to set up a padlet for favorite slices, slicers, and those doggone folks whose names don’t lead us to their blogs. I set up an excel sheet earlier in the month, but realized the padlet would be much easier to manage and visually so much more appealing. Thanks for the inspiration, Paula!
Oh fantastic! Are you going to share the link to your Padlet?
Thank you Paula for sharing! Your post was so helpful as I am working with teachers that are beginning to shift their thinking around student choice. I appreciate you sharing your resources.
Trailers are awesome – I love the ones made by students. Hearing their point of view in their own voices is priceless. Thanks for sharing!
I agree. So fun!
Wow, what an amazing resource, thanks for sharing it! There are just so many books out there!
What a great way to foster interest in books.
It sure is!
I love these ideas and thank you for sharing the padlet. Students making their own trailers is also fun.
I love student made trailers. We haven’t done any in our district yet. I’d love to see some kids give it a go!
I’m looking forward to your Book Trailers for picture books for the younger grades. I would love for you to try it out in my classroom sometime if possible.
Here’s a link to that Padlet, Maureen. https://padlet.com/thelitcoachlady/pq5kcxaqkfyi