My students make really good guinea pigs when it comes to trying out new writing activities. This week I showed them a free writing activity I did with our state poet laureate, Ava Leavell Haymon, at the Book Festival Wordshop last Friday. I was not sure how this rather random exercise would work for producing a poem.
We started with a clean piece of drawing paper. Each edge of the paper, we filled with sense words (colors, sounds, tastes, smells, and physical feelings.) Then I asked them to draw a large circle in the middle of the paper. When Ava gave us this exercise to do, she talked about the negative voice that often invades our minds when we are trying to write, saying terrible things like, “You are stupid,” and “Why do you think you have anything to say?” Each student selected a bad color to use to make a shape around their negative voices. Some students had no shapes and others had multiple ones filled with ugly words. I think this helped those who feel intimidated by writing.
Inside the circle, I told my students to free write for 7 minutes. Free writing is anything that comes into your mind. Just keep the hand moving. I even gave them ink pens to use, a treat.
Select six concrete words from your writing. Then write a six-lined poem. The poems were as varied as the students themselves. I enjoyed hearing how the free writing influenced the final poem. I think they were richer somehow. We then created a folded book from the art paper and wrote the six lines on the six pages of the book.
Fall weather warmth
A caramel taste
an amber color
chilly nights
candle lights
a honeysuckle scent–
Fall weather warmth.by Vannisa
I remember
I remember
sucking on an orange butterscotch,
being embarrassed about something I said
(what a thing to feel).
I remember it all happened
on Thanksgiving.by Matthew
Night Warrior
Be a warrior.
Ride on your unicorn.
To battle the bullies,
be a sweet, kind hero.
Climb into the sunset.
You become a pink image.by Erin
NCTE is around the corner. I am getting nervous and excited. If you plan to be there, please try to attend the Elementary Get Together to support me as I receive the 2014 Donald H. Graves Award. I am also presenting with colleagues from the National Writing Project on Friday.
Link to my presentation at NCTE: Friday, Nov. 21st at 12:30 PM.
These three poems you shared are lovely, Margaret. I love the exercise & that you tried it. I’m so excited for you at NCTE & your own special evening. I’ll be there cheering you on in spirit for sure! Congratulations again!
Margaret, these poems are amazing! Caramel and butterscotch and embarrassment and a warrior… seriously AWESOME. So excited for your recognition at NCTE!! Will be thrilled to meet you. Won’t be in there time for your session on Friday… sadness. 😦
Margaret, I just want to say, “You go girl!” I know you’ll knock ’em dead with your presentation at NCTE, and, by the quality of student work you’ve shown us here, you are WELL DESERVING of the Donald H. Graves award!
Such detail, sensitivity & calm, these student poems represent.
for this visual prompt idea.
And applause for the Graves Award & NCTE wonderfulness, upcoming. They are fortunate to have you presenting there.
What a great November for you Margaret!
Congratulations, Margaret! Enjoy the day. Feel treasured.
I bow to Vanissa – she has a gift. And I bow to you, Margaret – this is a wonderful writing activity, one I mean to try out with my sixth graders. I’ll be at your presentation, too!
Margaret, first of all you know I am going to be in the audience with Tara for the Elementary Gathering. Secondly, the writing activity is an opportunity to give students a chance to organize their writing before the final view for the public. I agree with Tara that Vanessa’s poem is amazing for anyone let anyone a 3rd grader. Can I use that one beside Emily’s for the Finding Fall Gallery, along with yours?
This was a great exercise to do with kids – and adults!
I tried it on myself and found that the free-writing part took over my pen and I had a long poem that I liked in 7 minutes (even though that was not what it was for). And then came this six word poem:
Oh, the luscious feeling
Of sweet love
I hum
So softly enveloped
In the arms of serenity
Blessed I am.
Thank you! Wish I could be at NCTE for your session and your award!
How blessed YOUR students are to have you!
Lovely poem. So glad you tried it. I love that your pen took over. That happens to me, too.
Tonight I’m posting the longer poem (for Sunday) that was created and a link to your site. I may have to try this exercise again – fun and freeing. Thanks again.
Won’t be at NCTE, sigh, but you can bet I’ll be cheering you on from here! Once again, you’ve given your kids the tools to create their own poetic greatness, Margaret. I also love that in your class there aren’t lines drawn between what is considered an appropriate poetry exercise for adults vs an appropriate exercise for children. It’s all fair game.
Those are amazing poems! I’ll have to try that exercise. That Vannisa is an amazing writer!!
Congratulations, Margaret! I too will be lucky enough to see you awarded and presenting in couple of weeks. My favorite of the three student poems is Matthew’s–I love the juxtaposition of the sweet butterscotch and the sour embarrassment.
I like the idea of making a six page booklet with a line on each page. Congratulations on your award! Have a great time.
[…] with our Louisiana state poet laureate, Ava Leavell Haymon. I posted about one of the exercises here. The second exercise she led us through began with an image. We were to remember a room, kitchen or […]