Creative Writing

October 30, 2018

Begin keeping an observation notebook - use a section in your writing journal.

Today I'd like you to start keeping an observation notebook. You will keep this all month and with some personal motivation - all year. But after today, I'll stop telling you to do it. Once you get started, jotting a few lines of observations should take you just 5-10 minutes we will practice it when we come in from recess. .

We read this assignment prompt in the morning, but I gave you time to do the assignment in the afternoon (after recess) you can do it again this evening, once you've had the chance to spend the day making some observations to record.

Today think of yourself as a spy of everyday little things that no one else pays attention to. Allow yourself time to notice things that might otherwise escape your attention. Keep track of details. For instance:

*The holes in the sneakers of the kid standing in front of you on the bus or in the school cafeteria

* The way that your dog's eyelashes jut out two inches and curl at the outer corners.

*The sound of voices you hear throughout the day - how it's hard to tell if they're happy or sad.

In your notebook observe what you noticed today. Come in tomorrow prepared to share.

Here are some fun prompts to get you started:

Create a chuck it list - what won't you ever do, or eat, ...you get the idea

Create a list of reasons you love fall

Create a list of your favorite pump me up songs

Write a parody of that song

Write a spooky story - using a prompt (see link)