It is story time today. Maybe you could put your story into a little book. Here is a frog who got stuck in a watering can spout. Can you write a story? The frog could be the central character. Or maybe you are the main character and you meet the frog. What happens next? What … Continue reading A Frog Tale
Ten minutes a day I think it is time to get writing. Writing has special powers. It is a kind of magic. It can make you feel happy and it can help you sort things out. You can share it with others or keep it to yourself. Writing can surprise you, even when you think … Continue reading Ten minutes a day -again!
I am thinking that writing club should happen everywhere now. You can write alone or you can write with others. I am thinking that each day you could find a slot for writing. Why not start with a drawing and then write for ten minutes. Set the timer. If you want to keep writing after … Continue reading Ten minutes a day
Look out for this poetry blog created by some enthusiastic poets. It’s called Poetry for Everyone. A teacher friend of mine sent me a sneak preview of a wonderful poetry blog that she and her class have created and I really recommend it. These children welcome us all in: ‘Everyone is a poet. Everyone is … Continue reading Poetry for Everyone
‘when they are sad they go inside their shells the shell is their home’ I do love snails as the most wonderful subjects for writing. I have only once had a student react badly to their existence! Snails are utterly intriguing, unassuming creatures. They are at once delicate and disgusting. They are varied and full … Continue reading I love snails
Now that we have moved our book club to lunch times we have only half the time. We need to find shorter but still satisfying tasks. I discover that we are not alone –one teacher friend has a speedy twenty minutes for her club! This week we used what the children call ‘flap books’. Make … Continue reading I may look like…… but really…
Write.Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down. Neil Gaiman in Write edited by Claire Armistead. A writing club needs just a slim structure: some prompts; some reminders; maybe, some tempting resources. These might include a poem, a book, a folded blank book, a square of paper or a set of … Continue reading Shape of a session
Words sludge Westminster hugger mugger flop feverfew dumpy We love to begin a workshop with lists of words. The activity breaks into the white space of the page and then into the air and ears of the workshop. This is how it works: make a list of words, five or six, that simply come to mind. They may be words … Continue reading Words
…is really straightforward. The answer to most questions is: “It is up to you.” It will depend on your circumstances and your preferences. You can do it alone, but it is good to share the load with someone else. Above all, a writing club should be a free space, where children may find what they … Continue reading Setting up a Writing Club…
Well, this is why we did it... Two years ago, we started a writing club for ages 4 – 11 at our school. We wanted to give children a chance to express themselves, play with words and see themselves as writers. Our club has helped to grow a writing culture across the school where children’s … Continue reading Why Start a Writing Club?
Writing Box 