If you've written with me for awhile you've already done this creative exercise that allows us to engage our senses (and think outside the box) to describe a season, color, or action.
So, since autumn has officially arrived I'm ready to go outside, take a whiff of the air, listen to the sounds, and just think about what this wonderful season has to offer. I feel pretty darn creative!
Are you ready? Just fill in the blanks:
Fall looks like ____________.
It sounds like ___________.
It tastes like____________.
It feels like _____________.
Fall makes me want to _______.
I'll go first!
Fall looks like pumpkins
It sounds like falling leaves
It tastes like spiced cider
It feels like cornstalks
Fall makes me want to stay outside for as long as I can!
OR
Fall looks like the gorgeous warm colors that are found in a brand new box of crayons
It sounds like crunchy leaves and lawnmowers that are taking their last pass at sleepy yards
It tastes like samples of cider at the busy farmers market
It feels like dried up cornstalks that surround me as I make my way through the traditional cornfield maze.
Fall makes me want to stay outside for as long as I can and wallow in the joy of my favorite season!
By the way, you will accidentally write a poem in the process of letting your senses run wild!
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Let's Have Some Fun - Poetry About Pets and People
My blogs bring me so much joy. I love the creative curiosity that abounds from this writer's blog and my blog for animal lovers too. Sometimes I feel like I'm glued to your blogs. Many of your are such good writers that I feel like I'm in the middle of a good book or even a part of your lives.
Believe it or not, Tweedles (a pug dog) stopped by here the other day and asked me to share a creative writing activity.
Off the top of my head, I suggested that I could learn more about Tweedles by an activity that requires thinking outside the box. Somehow, I have a feeling lots of you are going to have a really good time with this activity too.
Many of you have used your senses to create this same poem (in another way) that I suggested for Tweedles. This time, I'd like you to use your senses to describe a pet or person that you really like. Play with words. Wallow in language. Have fun!
I asked Tweedles to fill in the blanks:
Tweedles looks like __________
She smells like __________
She sounds like _________
She tastes like __________
She feels like __________
Tweedles makes me want to ________
Here's Tweedle's poem!
Tweedles looks like a cute baby monkey
She smells like bubble gum
She sounds like a seagull with its mouth full of crackers
She tastes like strawberry shortcake
She feels like the softest velvet ever
Tweedles makes me want to giggle!
Here's the poem that I wrote about my granddaughter:
Alexa looks like a graceful swan
She smells like horses and shampoo
She sounds like a talking dictionary
She tastes like fresh fruit on a summer morning
She feels like a conditioned athlete
Alexa makes me want be a kid again!
Have any images formed in your mind? My guess is that they have.
Now it's your turn. Fill in the same blanks that Tweedles and I did. Choose an animal or person that you really have strong feelings about and use your senses to create a lovely picture with your words! I have no doubt that you'll be very descriptive. Why? Because you're writing from your mind and heart.
Can you do it? Yes you can! Please share!
Believe it or not, Tweedles (a pug dog) stopped by here the other day and asked me to share a creative writing activity.
Off the top of my head, I suggested that I could learn more about Tweedles by an activity that requires thinking outside the box. Somehow, I have a feeling lots of you are going to have a really good time with this activity too.
Many of you have used your senses to create this same poem (in another way) that I suggested for Tweedles. This time, I'd like you to use your senses to describe a pet or person that you really like. Play with words. Wallow in language. Have fun!
I asked Tweedles to fill in the blanks:
Tweedles looks like __________
She smells like __________
She sounds like _________
She tastes like __________
She feels like __________
Tweedles makes me want to ________
Here's Tweedle's poem!
Tweedles looks like a cute baby monkey
She smells like bubble gum
She sounds like a seagull with its mouth full of crackers
She tastes like strawberry shortcake
She feels like the softest velvet ever
Tweedles makes me want to giggle!
Here's the poem that I wrote about my granddaughter:
Alexa looks like a graceful swan
She smells like horses and shampoo
She sounds like a talking dictionary
She tastes like fresh fruit on a summer morning
She feels like a conditioned athlete
Alexa makes me want be a kid again!
Have any images formed in your mind? My guess is that they have.
Now it's your turn. Fill in the same blanks that Tweedles and I did. Choose an animal or person that you really have strong feelings about and use your senses to create a lovely picture with your words! I have no doubt that you'll be very descriptive. Why? Because you're writing from your mind and heart.
Can you do it? Yes you can! Please share!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Power of words
I've decided to use the weekends to share some words that have inspired me during the week. Some words have inspired me to write more. Others have inspired me to think about the importance of parenting and teaching. Words are powerful. Language is powerful. There's never a day that I'm not reminded that life is what poetry is made from....we'll get back to writing exercises on Monday!
The first link is from a writer by the name of Annie Wickling. I actually forgot today was Valentine's Day until I read her post! Her powerful words made me think about all my loved ones...and the cards that I forgot to sign and give!
Here is the link to Annie's lovely words:
http://annieandlo.blogspot.com/2009/02/three-little-words.html
The words below are from one of the most creative and thoughtful teachers I've had the pleasure to get to know, all through the magic of the blog world. When I asked her about using her words, she said, "Parents might not like to hear what I'm saying." I think she's wrong. You be the judge. Here are her words:
I reflect constantly on my literary development and progress through life, and one constant thread is woven throughout my reflections; if I had not had a mother who was a reader and lifelong learner, I would not be where I am today.
I know there are people who look upon teachers with some disdain and talk about "doing" versus "teaching," but I am the oldest child in a family of twelve children, and I am the only one with college degrees. More than half of my brothers and sisters are high school drop-outs, and my father had only an eighth grade education, so I hope you can understand what an accomplishment it was for me when, at the age of thirty-five, I decided to attend college.
The point I want to make is that I wish more parents would encourage their children to engage in literacy activities at home. Our entire society is so wrapped up in the concept of instant gratification and constant stimulation of the senses, whether through technology, sports, or always being on the go, that literacy education is left entirely to the schools. Schools don't have the time or resources to make sure that students are practicing strategies taught in school and honing their skills to be ready to move on. I'm afraid that many of the students I have are going to have difficulty finding jobs that will provide life's necessities, much less allow them to live the responsibility-free lives many of their parents are now allowing them to live. Also, I hate to burst any budding athlete's bubble, but those big money contracts go to those who work HARD and have big talent, and everyone needs a backup plan.
Even if parents just allow kids to scribble pretend letters and lists or point out environmental print, or tell nursery rhymes to their children, in the end it will impact the way they process and approach literacy, and improve their background knowledge. This last is a biggie with me. Sometimes it is unbelievable to me the lack of background knowledge students are bringing to the table. Is this just because our oral traditions have gone the way of the horse and buggy? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I do think parents need to interact verbally with their children more often and do some of the other things I've written about to help their children be better able to navigate the world of print. Enough! I'm off my soapbox!
Words are powerful. Language is powerful. Life is poetry in motion.
The first link is from a writer by the name of Annie Wickling. I actually forgot today was Valentine's Day until I read her post! Her powerful words made me think about all my loved ones...and the cards that I forgot to sign and give!
Here is the link to Annie's lovely words:
http://annieandlo.blogspot.com/2009/02/three-little-words.html
The words below are from one of the most creative and thoughtful teachers I've had the pleasure to get to know, all through the magic of the blog world. When I asked her about using her words, she said, "Parents might not like to hear what I'm saying." I think she's wrong. You be the judge. Here are her words:
I reflect constantly on my literary development and progress through life, and one constant thread is woven throughout my reflections; if I had not had a mother who was a reader and lifelong learner, I would not be where I am today.
I know there are people who look upon teachers with some disdain and talk about "doing" versus "teaching," but I am the oldest child in a family of twelve children, and I am the only one with college degrees. More than half of my brothers and sisters are high school drop-outs, and my father had only an eighth grade education, so I hope you can understand what an accomplishment it was for me when, at the age of thirty-five, I decided to attend college.
The point I want to make is that I wish more parents would encourage their children to engage in literacy activities at home. Our entire society is so wrapped up in the concept of instant gratification and constant stimulation of the senses, whether through technology, sports, or always being on the go, that literacy education is left entirely to the schools. Schools don't have the time or resources to make sure that students are practicing strategies taught in school and honing their skills to be ready to move on. I'm afraid that many of the students I have are going to have difficulty finding jobs that will provide life's necessities, much less allow them to live the responsibility-free lives many of their parents are now allowing them to live. Also, I hate to burst any budding athlete's bubble, but those big money contracts go to those who work HARD and have big talent, and everyone needs a backup plan.
Even if parents just allow kids to scribble pretend letters and lists or point out environmental print, or tell nursery rhymes to their children, in the end it will impact the way they process and approach literacy, and improve their background knowledge. This last is a biggie with me. Sometimes it is unbelievable to me the lack of background knowledge students are bringing to the table. Is this just because our oral traditions have gone the way of the horse and buggy? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I do think parents need to interact verbally with their children more often and do some of the other things I've written about to help their children be better able to navigate the world of print. Enough! I'm off my soapbox!
Words are powerful. Language is powerful. Life is poetry in motion.
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