Creative writing ideas?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert Kennedy on March 28, 2011 at 7:49pm

Hey Lori,

We had the kids write mysteries last year.  They started with the ending of the book, and then listed the "obvious" ways to get there.  Then they had to go back and create more mysterious ways of getting through the plot.  That probably doesn't make any sense the way I worded it ;)  Basically we worked the stories backwards so the students could avoid the obvious things that the reader might expect to happen in order for them to make it more interesting.  We spend a lot of time on character development too.  Hope it helps!

Bobby

Permalink Reply by Sally Rafson on March 28, 2011 at 9:46pm

I have had great results from procedural writing that is based on an imaginary subject that could not possibly be achieved. Kids love to read fantasy. This gave them the opportunity to write a fun fantasy paper, such as how to ride a dragon, how to get the tooth fairy to to give up her stash of teeth, how to get to the moon without a rocket, how to make a pig fly, etc. . The kids loved this project.

 

Permalink Reply by Kate Miller on March 24, 2012 at 4:31pm

Last year we read tall tales and then had the students make their own.  They really enjoyed being able to embellish and give their characters special abilities and talents.  Then for presentation we had the students create an illustration of their character on legal sized papers taped together to make a "tall tale" when they finished writing and editing their writing. 

Check out http://www.readwritethink.org/ for some other ideas- they have great resources for teachers.