I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers Annual March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
This year I decided to complete my slice of life challenge through the use of quickwrites. By doing this, I hope to explore my own writing, identify problems my students may be experiencing with these quick bursts of writing, and show them authentic revisions in the writing process.
This week I have been writing "live" with my students and using that writing for my posts. In my ealirer quick writes, I knew the prompts. I had a little bit of time to sort through what I was going to write. When my students do quick writes, they don't get that luxury of knowing ahead of time.
Yesterday, I decided to not only write live, but write unaware of the prompt. Here is what we did.
I pulled a book from the shelf, and looked at how many pages were in it. I called on a student to give me number between one and the number of pages in the book. Then I did the same with the paragraph number and sentence number. Finally, the word number.
And that word became our quick write.
Today's word was "desperate." Isn't that a great word! I wrote along with my students, and I felt that anxiety of not knowing what to write about and where this word would take me.
But today, I proudly share the writing from one of students. This is from Raney!
 |
| Image from Pixaby |
I was stranded on the streets, desperate for a home. I walked down every neighborhood just to find the right home. As I was was thinking about food, I look up to see a bright shiny gold and silver house that said, "Raney come on in." So I ran into the house to find, nothing but the streets, and flashing cars pass by me. Then I realized I knew I would never find a home. I would only live on a thick gray side walk.
This writing was done in six minutes with no time to edit or revise. This is raw. This is real. This is "desperation" at its best.
I really like the manner in which you chose the word for your writing. Your students writing - wow. Talk about desperate.
ReplyDeleteWowzer! Really cool way to get at a WOTD together with your class. Definitely going to use that next Thursday for Journal Soft Start! The writing from Raney is packed with desperation in the way he described the setting and the internal thoughts. It's another reminder that good writing is good writing - it doesn't have to be long, or fit a mold - like you said raw and real is best! Thanks for sharing your process and Raney's writing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to pick a word and how brilliantly your student wrote about being homeless, so good!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I love how quick writes can bring out those unexpected bits of genius.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a risky business picking a prompt like this. Your word provided an opportunity to touch some deep feelings.
ReplyDeleteSo brave! I agree - raw and real are the best!!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I love this way of choosing a topic for a quick write. I haven't done quick writes yet this year (grade 2 & 3) and I'm thinking it might be a good time to start! Oh, and, Raney's writing is amazing!
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to get a quick write topic. The writing takes your breath away.
ReplyDeleteWow! I would love to see Raney develop and expand on this quick write because I want to know more! She painted a vivid picture with her words and the emotion in the piece is breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteWow! This clutched at my heart. Please let Raney know impressed I am.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that? ! Great quick write from Raney and an interesting quick pick topic strategy too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this strategy for selecting a quick write. Quick writes are a great way to stretch those writing muscles. You certainly gave your students the freedom they need to explore and dare and find success.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great strategy! I often have my quickwrites planned out at least a little bit in advance. If nothing else, I know the prompt and even if I'm trying not to think about it, I do. I think my students would love the experience of me being as surprised by the prompt as everyone else! Definitely trying this.
ReplyDelete