We're comparing and contrasting snowman stories. We're studying "voice" as it's used in books. Students wrote about what the boy in the story The Snowman might be thinking or saying when he's discovered that the snowman has melted. I noticed that many of the students copied my example off the board. I told them I was disappointed that with all their creativity, that they aren't giving me original ideas. After my brief talk, they really stepped up their writing. I need to give them a pep talk tomorrow, letting them know that school is a safe place to try new things. They are in a supportive environment where a caring adult is there to help. I need to let them know that mistakes are okay and that mistakes help them learn.