Extreme Writing Basics

“I can’t believe I can write that much,”, “Can we do it again?” How many times have your students said that?…probably never.
What is this variation on journaling that captures student interest and is designed to build the ability to write quickly (fluency) and get ideas fast (ideation)?

Don’t Count Your Chickens

Everything I know about chickens – life cycle, roosters, types of chickens, ways to cook them, ways to cook eggs, etc. Things in my lie I have counted on, or really hoped for, that didn’t turn out as expected. Being optimistic. It is very optimistic to count your chickens before …

Albert Einstein

A genie offers great wealth, great athletic ability, or genius.  Which do you take and why? What would you like to do with the gift of the genie? Einstein was a genius. What are the “smartest” things you have ever done? Write a humorous letter to Einstein suggesting that he …

Smile for the Camera

My experiences with a camera – taking pictures, having my picture taken. Things that worked and things that didn’t. Class photos, wedding photos, family photos – stories behind “formal” photos – what you wore, when they were done, etc. Stories of times in your life when you didn’t feel like …

The Scream, Edvard Munsch

Munsch described his painting as a “scream of nature”.  What environmental issue do you personally address, and what would you like to see addressed? Largely as a result of The Scream Munsch is one of the most famous of modern painters. If you could have your wish what things would …

The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer

Milk and Me – stories of products from milk that I like ad don’t like (milk, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice-cream, etc. Bread and Me – my favourite sandwiches making my own sandwiches, baking bread, types of bread I have tried, etc. Behind her on the floor is a …