“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)?
Imagine you are the “let’s go outside in the winter” person. What things do you love to do in the cold, snow, and ice? Tell stories of winter adventures you have had. Imagine you are the “good time to snuggle in front of the fire” person. What things do you …
In slang a “nighthawk” is an insomniac or a person who naturally prefers the night. The picture is said to represent the loneliness of the city. The actual “nighthawk” is a bird that hunts at night. Shows like “the Simpsons” and various movies have set up a scene like this …
McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Dairy Queen, Boston Pizza – most people have lots of experience with “fast foods” of various kinds. What are your favourite fast foods? Why do you like them, especially in comparison to other choices. When do you get them? What about the “gifts” in the Happy …
Write about building sandcastles at the beach. Include the complete story of where, when, what you built, how long it lasted, who you built with, tools you had to work with, dialogue, etc. Write the story of this picture. Include the thoughts of the builder as the structure comes into …
Degas frequently painted and sculpted ballet dancers. The man in the painting is a famous ballet master teacher. Taking lessons. Write about lessons you have taken – music, dance, skiing, skating, bike riding, even Kumon – any lessons taught by someone other than your parents. Write about outfits and costumes …
A “bucket list” comes from the expression “to kick the bucket” meaning to die. The “bucket list” consists of those things you want to to do in your lifetime – before you “kick the bucket.” Write your own bucket list, with some details about each of them, and why you …
Hokusai (Japanese) is the most famous woodblock printmaker in the world. He painted 36 Views of Mount Fuji, of which this is the most reproduced. Mount Fuji is in the back of the picture. Painted in the 1820’s, it was the time that the west forced the opening of Japan …
Think about “the rules” for caring for texts and library books and your own books. Imagine a humorous story where your character explains to the librarian how he/she managed to break all the rules. Write about your first public library membership – getting your card, what did it look like, …
This proverb means that if you eat an apple each day, you will be healthy. This image creates the instructions on “real” medicine for humour on an apple. Write details about the healthy foods you eat, and why they are good for you. You could add experiences with medicines, pain …
Peter Bruegel the Elder was from the Netherlands, and was among the first generation of artists to paint oil paintings of every day life, when all paintings were no longer of mostly religious themes. He painted the activities of peasants which gives us a real window into life in the …
