Recently, I decided to give a writing prompt pulled directly from the world of social networking. They wrote their prompts in their journals - a place where they mostly have free choice about what to write. The prompt: The Top Ten Most Important Things You Should Know About Me. A good topic to learn more about your classmates.
These little guys really took this task seriously. They covered their papers for privacy. Most children spent a good 1/2 hour in thought and writing. Even students who struggle with writing were "into" this assignment. And then they lined up to show me what they wrote - where did that come from??
And, when I began reading their entries, I was amazed. I learned so many new things about them, and I learned that they are really funny, interesting, diverse, and thoughtful people. I also learned a lot about them as writers.
Now, I am thinking, just like with a blog or Facebook meme, perhaps we will tag a few classes to complete this task. It doesn't have to take that long, and I would love to see what another class could do with it. I would love to see children tag their parents too :)
One of my favorite top ten entries is from a student for whom writing is not really a preferred activity...
#5 I like to move it, move it! (Think of the song - was in Madagascar)
#5 I like to move it, move it! (Think of the song - was in Madagascar)
