Used in over 1,700 districts.
We tell students to ‘show, not tell’ — but that advice is useless until they experience the difference. This lesson makes it click.
‘Add more variety!’ teachers say. But how? This lesson gives students actual techniques instead of vague advice.
Blow up a paragraph into individual sentences. Now reassemble it. The clues hiding in each sentence will surprise you.
We’ll start with the cliché “as cold as ice” and go somewhere much more interesting.
Three paragraphs about wolverines. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Five emoji. One story. Where will your imagination take you?
Starting with an old-timey photo, students will write from a particular item’s point of view.
Let’s take a starting phrase about St. Patrick’s Day and get specific. No, even more specific!
Have students mastered the art of anadiplosis: ending one sentence with the beginning of the next? Now it’s time to take it to the next level!
Look closely at Impression, Sunrise. What do you notice? Now turn those details into a poem you didn’t know you could write.
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about The Great Sphinx back into the correct order?
Students use 12 random phrases to create a story that takes place at school.
How would real people feel about the legends that have been created about them?
A passage from The Wind in the Willows to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
These sentences about Washington, DC got scrambled. Can you put them back in order using nothing but context clues?
An intriguing passage from Anne of Green Gables to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Let’s write a summary. A very short summary. With VERY strict rules.
Your youngest students will learn to write Japanese Haiku poetry.
Ever read a student’s story that was just event after event after event and then a very sudden ending? They lack an understanding of a plot’s structure. With the help of Finding Nemo, I break down how to set up a well-structured plot.
Every fantasy story has patterns hiding underneath the magic. Once your students see the elements, they’ll spot them everywhere — and use them in their own writing.
What if an inanimate object could express thanks for a special person in your life? What would it write?
Can your students come up with a one-syllable word to sum up their time away from school? And then rewrite The Beatles’ song Help!?
Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.
Look closely at Twilight in the Wilderness. What do you notice? Now turn those details into a poem you didn’t know you could write.
When I see a quote, I often think, “That’s not quite right!”
Students use 12 random phrases to create a story that takes place in at a magical school.
An old photograph. A holiday scene. Pick one object in the picture and write from its point of view.
Let’s help William Shakespeare with his use of repetition.
A specific technique to help students add some spice to their writing. We’ll be contrasting two ideas using synonyms.
Look closely at Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. What do you notice? Now turn those details into a poem you didn’t know you could write.
Is your students’ use of repetition limited to, “The girl was very, very, very fast.”? Let’s borrow some ideas from Shakespeare!
Let’s start with “As cold as fire.”
A passage from “Peter Pan” to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
One painting of ruins. Three robots. Three pieces of writing. Who wrote it best?
Let’s go roller skating in a Halloween costume! What could possibly go wrong?
