Creating an Environment for Creative Writers
Creative writing starts at the core of all students. Each student in the classroom comes with a unique background with their own set of skills and advantages. As teachers, it is our job to foster their differences and create an environment that is beneficial to all students regardless of their skill level and ability. In the classroom, it should always be our goal to embrace our students for their individuality and inspire them to succeed to their fullest potential.
As writers, we have the potential to pull out any idea in our minds and write about- whether you’re mad at someone, sad about something, or stressed- you can write about it ( Elbow, 1981, pg. 15). Free writing is an incredibly valuable tool to use in the classroom because students will be able to creatively write about anything they want. As their teacher, we should encourage them to stay on topic or just back and forth to different topics. The important thing to remember is that our students are writing (Elbow, 1981, pg. 18)
Another element of creative writing is using descriptive language and voice in your writing. There are many different strategies to use in the classroom to help students with this concept of “show, don’t tell.” Students can use sensory bags to describe objects without actually knowing what they are and then use those descriptive details to actually write about the object once they know what it is. There are also many books for teachers to use as mentor texts in the classroom that give students a good basis for creative writing. Mentor texts are a great way to inspire children to have their own voice when they are writing (Tompkins, 2012, pg. 73).
To make non-fiction writing more creative with your students, there multiple tools and procedures that you can incorporate into the classroom to benefit them as writers. Giving the students more time for discussions, presenting mini-lessons, helping students view writing as discovery, giving choices for writing prompts and providing students with substantial writing time are all great ways to promote creativity in the classroom (Robb, 2004, pg. 21). One of the main concerns surrounding teachers today is lack of time. If teachers can find a way to make time during the day to allow students free writing time without any expectations other than that they write, the students will benefit greatly. Barry Lane (2008) states, “We need to make time, space and choice a priority in the classroom.” Although, at times, it may seem nearly impossible, the students need the time to enjoy writing and time to feel less pressure.
One aspect of creative writing that I found to be most valuable is that of giving students to write environment to write in. When the students feel more comfortable and at ease, they will be more inclined to write about things that interest them. Creating a writing corner complete with bean bags, pillows, and comfortable chairs will allow your students to feel like they have a special place to share their thoughts and write them down (Lane, 2008, pg. 30).
As writers, we have the potential to pull out any idea in our minds and write about- whether you’re mad at someone, sad about something, or stressed- you can write about it ( Elbow, 1981, pg. 15). Free writing is an incredibly valuable tool to use in the classroom because students will be able to creatively write about anything they want. As their teacher, we should encourage them to stay on topic or just back and forth to different topics. The important thing to remember is that our students are writing (Elbow, 1981, pg. 18)
Another element of creative writing is using descriptive language and voice in your writing. There are many different strategies to use in the classroom to help students with this concept of “show, don’t tell.” Students can use sensory bags to describe objects without actually knowing what they are and then use those descriptive details to actually write about the object once they know what it is. There are also many books for teachers to use as mentor texts in the classroom that give students a good basis for creative writing. Mentor texts are a great way to inspire children to have their own voice when they are writing (Tompkins, 2012, pg. 73).
To make non-fiction writing more creative with your students, there multiple tools and procedures that you can incorporate into the classroom to benefit them as writers. Giving the students more time for discussions, presenting mini-lessons, helping students view writing as discovery, giving choices for writing prompts and providing students with substantial writing time are all great ways to promote creativity in the classroom (Robb, 2004, pg. 21). One of the main concerns surrounding teachers today is lack of time. If teachers can find a way to make time during the day to allow students free writing time without any expectations other than that they write, the students will benefit greatly. Barry Lane (2008) states, “We need to make time, space and choice a priority in the classroom.” Although, at times, it may seem nearly impossible, the students need the time to enjoy writing and time to feel less pressure.
One aspect of creative writing that I found to be most valuable is that of giving students to write environment to write in. When the students feel more comfortable and at ease, they will be more inclined to write about things that interest them. Creating a writing corner complete with bean bags, pillows, and comfortable chairs will allow your students to feel like they have a special place to share their thoughts and write them down (Lane, 2008, pg. 30).