Kick you senses into gear...

It's all about perspective really. It's about how things seem when we see them, hear them, taste them, feel them, or smell them.

Since it's the first of the week, let's let our senses run wild. Perceive things as we usually wouldn't. Let's unleash our imaginations and dazzle our papers with words and thoughts that are free from stress or purpose!

Writers, try writing a paragraph about how red might smell. Write quickly and without thought. Some of you might imagine that red smells like anger. Others might find that red smells like passion. Write! Write! Write! Then please share what you've written. I'd love to see your creativity gone wild!

Teachers, let your students wallow in the freedom to take risks with what they write. Encourage them to fantasize and be unconventional. Create a moment in your classroom where it's okay to just have fun and write...to be spontaneous.

Ask your students to tell or write about how green smells. Ask them to write or tell you how spaghetti sounds or how their book tastes. If things are going well keep going! Ask your students what a bell feels like or how a stomach ache looks. If your students are struggling, YOU tell them how green smells, how spagetti sounds, and how your book tastes. It won't be long before your kids get the idea!

Parent's, join your children as you help them prod through exercises that are filled with ideas and sensations. Remember, kids learn best when a grown-up guides them through the process of writing.

This kind of activity reminds us how important our senses are when it comes to writing. It reminds us of the power of words and the wonder of language.