Many of you send out or post family updates around the holidays. But this year, why not have your children write your family newsletter? In my writer's workshop a few years ago, my students spent time learning the basics of the newspaper, writing using the 5 Ws, and writing a family newsletter. It's something you can do at home with your family, too. 1. Study the Newspaper First, look through … [Read more...]
Experiential Stuffed Animal Writing Idea For Kids
Get your imaginations ready for a fun experiential writing adventure! You'll be taking your best friend (aka. favorite stuffed animal) for a walk and narrating the story as it might happen if your friend were real. This kind of doing and writing is great for young writers for many reasons such as: SENSORY DETAILS: Descriptions can include the sensory details easily because you're … [Read more...]
Writing Inspiration: How to Get Ideas for a Story
The picture book, Any Questions by Marie-Louise Gay, is the author's answer to children about the writer's journey -- how to get ideas for a story. It's an interactive experience because you get to write part of a story, too and is beautifully illustrated with water color and ink. Gay writes that children often ask her where does a story start. That's a good question, she says. How Do You … [Read more...]
Photo Story Starter Idea for Kids
I have the easiest writing idea for you to use with your kids . . . take photos of dolls or figurines for a story starter idea! It all started when my daughter said, "What should I do, mom?" I replied, "Why don't you take those Easter chicks and make up a story. Take photos and then write about what happens." (The chicks were an impulse purchase on a recent trip to a craft store. You … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Note Card Book
Make your own book with this quick and easy handmade book idea. All you need are large notecards and a stapler. And, for illustration help, consider using Mudpuppy's sturdy stencils for kids. We think they're indestructible! Make Your Own Book Fold large notecards in half. Take your stapler and staple in the crease at the top and the bottom. See how easy it is to make these books? … [Read more...]
Collaborative Story Writing for Kids (in the Digital Age)
Our teenage babysitter gave us the BEST writing idea -- and my kids took off with it! A Collaborative Email Story Writing Idea In a collaborative story, each person takes turns telling the part of the story. 1. Pick the Writers Invite trusted friends, babysitters, or family members to write the story with you. If your kids have email like mine do, be sure that you have access to see all … [Read more...]
Do You Love I Spy Books? How to Make Your Own!
Do your kids love the I Spy books by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick? Want to make your own? Try making your own I Spy book pages as a fun art and writing activity. To do this you'll gather props, take pictures, and work on the computer. Make Your Own I Spy Book We choose to make I Spy pages with colors. Gather props around your own theme. Then, arrange the objects close together. The … [Read more...]
Writing Idea: Say It, Play It, Write It
Sometimes your kids need help with writing idea development. So grab a stuffed animal, tell a story, pretend play the story, then write it down! Writing Idea Development It's the best way to get young writers writing fluently because once they've said and played the story, they're primed to write it . . . already knowing what they want to say. SAY IT So, pick a favorite stuffed animal or … [Read more...]
Eraser Stories Motivate Beginning Writers
You know those cute little erasers that are so popular right now? Well, use them to inspire a story idea for beginning writers! All ages will have fun with this writing idea, especially beginning and reluctant writers. (Photos from the Imagination Soup writing workshop today.) Also visit gifts for writers to see more writing motivation ideas. Beginning Writer Story Starter I found packets … [Read more...]
Riddle Poems
Kids love reading and writing riddle poems. Riddles often give wonderful sensory details and describe something a child knows about. Plus, they encourage critical thinking and engagement in poetry. Riddle Poems Riddles are usually written in poem form. Consider this riddle poem: It can be cracked, It can be made, It can be told, it can be played. What is it? (answer: a joke) source: … [Read more...]
Fun Poetry Prompt: Onomatopoeia
Get your kids jazzed about poetry during Poetry Month. A great way is write about something edible -- like popcorn - and work on one or more poetic elements. I like to teach repetition, onomatopoeia, and use of white space with popcorn. Prep your kids with example poems that include repetition, onomatopoeia words, and creative use of white space. You can do this throughout the writing … [Read more...]
Photo-Writing: A Day in the Life of . . .
Photography inspires kids - heck, it inspires me, too! Get your child involved in a photo writing prompt idea. Give her a camera, and the idea to document a day in the life of her favorite toy. Last weekend, I helped 6-year old JJ with her "A Day in the Life of Bunny the Rock Star" photo-writing project. Photo Writing Prompt A Day in the Life of [Your Favorite Stuffed Animal] CHOOSE YOUR … [Read more...]