Slice of Life 2012 #5

This past summer I was introduced to something called, "Quick Writes" by Jeff Anderson at the All Write!!! Conference in Indiana.  He described how you can use the writing strategy in the classroom.  I modified how he described it for my second grade classroom.  I give students two unrelated words, like ice cream and car.  Students are instructed to pick one of the words and use it at least once in their writing.  I then give the students one minute to think about their story and three minutes to write.  This summer Jeff Anderson stated, "this is prompt writing that your students will love."  He was right.  My second graders really enjoy doing this.  I am always amazed at what they can write in such a short period of time.

This weekend my daughter wanted me to draw with her.  After drawing my version of a guinea pig and her laughing at me, I asked her if she wanted to try some "Quick Writes".  My daughter loves to write and I was saddened when she announced that they don't usually do writing workshop in 4th grade.  She was excited to try.  I varied it by giving her the choice of a word that we would write about and she decided on the time, two minutes.  She was really enjoying this and we invited her brother to join us.  After each write we would go around and share what we wrote.  "Quick Writes" were a really engaging activity for all of us.  What a great way to extend the brain, practice writing and spend time together.

Below are our last "Quick Writes" using "white car":

Betsy age 10:
She pulled up in front of my small broken down house in a white car.  I looked over to my mom.  "What are aunt Paris and cousin Mimi going to be like," I asked.  "Well they do have many more things than we do and they will be bringing their....

Ben age 13:
Dale was about to open his first car shop.  He had his collection of cars outside and his good cars inside.  Like his white double engine ferrari.  So Dale was ready to open up shop but he did not know what he might sell first.

Me:
All I wanted was a white convertible for my sixteenth birthday.  My sweet sixteenth birthday.  The one I had dreamed about since I was old enough to know what a birthday was.  I wasn't a popular girl, but if I could only get a white convertible my popularity....