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By: Jan Mader,
on 10/19/2010
Finish this sentence:
Did you know that______________________________________?
Make it really special by painting a picture with your words. Here's an example of what I mean:
Plain old ordinary sentence: Did you know that I have a horse?
Colorful sentence: Did you know I have a horse who is as strong as a freight train?
By: Jan Mader,
on 10/12/2009
I was away competing at a horse show all weekend. When I got home I looked at the list of words in the comment section of the last writing activity we did together.
I am so excited by all the new and interesting words, I don't want to stop. So, now you look at the last activity again and let's keep going! Listen for more amazing, beautiful, rhythmic words or phrases for the next few days. List them for no other reason than the way they sound.
Let's make more music for our ears together!
Here's my new word: dollop
Here's my new phrase: Click clop goes the horse!
Your turn to add to our very own thesaurus of fascinating words!
By: Jan Mader,
on 10/7/2009
I like this game.
What's the first word or phrase that comes to your mind when I say autumn?
Ready, set, go!
By: Jan Mader,
on 10/3/2009
Give the photo a caption!
By: Jan Mader,
on 9/27/2009
Once again I've been inspired by Tweedles. She sent me a photo of an owl in her backyard and asked, "Would you like to ride him?"
I didn't even take the time to think about the fact that I probably couldn't ride Owlbert...at least not tonight...I just began to think about where I'd like to go!
So, with Tweedle's permission, I'm going to share the photo that she sent me and ask you the same question. Forget that you're all grown up and let your imagination run away with you!
Would you like to ride Owlbert? Don't be shy! Let your inner-child take over and have the trip of your lifetime! Where will you go on Owlbert? What will you do? How will you feel? How will Owlbert feel? HAVE FUN! No need for a long explanation...unless you want to.....just a few words about where you're going on your adventure! You can travel lots of your journey in your mind's eye!
Teachers: Ask your kids the same question! Creating an environment that says it's okay to be joyfully imaginative lends itself to lovely colorful creative writing!
By: Jan Mader,
on 9/6/2009
All of us have different reactions to situations. On hot days, some of us might think about a walk in the park or a dive into a swimming pool. Not me. Hot days make me feel L A Z Y !
Our writing activity is as simple as that. Think of words or phrases that when you say them make you feel or think about the word lazy. I already went first. I feel lazy on HOT DAYS!
Your turn!
Teachers, this is the kind of activity you should begin each and every morning with as you take attendance. It unlocks young minds and encourages them to think outside the box! I can't think of a better way to start a morning!
By: Jan Mader,
on 8/26/2009
Quick! What does ANGER smell like?
By: Jan Mader,
on 8/13/2009
Once again, reading something that Tweedles wrote gave me an idea. That's what writers do...we inspire each other. Tweedles started a story with: The raging sea was roaring like a lion. What a picture that painted for me!
Tweedles could have just said: the sea was rough or the waves were big. She would have told me something. I might have yawned and read on. Instead, Tweedles showed me. She used her words as though they were art on a canvas. Her words excited me and made me want to read more.
Her words inspired the following writing exercise! Chose one or two of the following words to describe by painting a picture:
sea
clouds
sky
mountains
dog
husband
wife
boyfriend
girlfriend
best friend
brother
sister
I'll go first.
The sea rolled in like a bowling ball thrown in the gutter.
or: The sea washed away like water down the drain.
My sister curled up on the couch like a tired kitten.
or: My sister squirmed on the couch while she twisted her curly hair around her finger.
Your turn! Show us with your words. Paint a vivid picture!
Use your senses help you. Let's your mind's eye go crazy. Think outside the box! Have fun. Take chances. Let yourself go! If you want to describe another word that's fine. Put it in all caps so we'll notice your word right away.
Teachers, do this exercise with your kids orally first. Remember, creative talking leads to exciting writing!
By: Jan Mader,
on 8/5/2009
I just got back from posting on my animal blog. I wrote about a rainy day at the farm where I board my horse, Tango. Writing that post made me think about how the day felt. It was raining and the air was full of moisture. Honestly, it felt as though I could drink the air.
Sometimes the rain was hard. Sometimes it was soft. Do you feel a writing experience coming on? Hold onto your hats because I sure do!
Here are two questions for you to answer:
1. How does hard rain feel?
2. How does soft rain feel?
Here are my answers:
1. Hard rain feels like nails jabbing through my skin.
2. Soft rain feels like water from a slow sprinkler on a hot summer day.
Your turn! I'll post the questions again in the comment section. As usual, come back as often as ideas pop into your mind. Our list of descriptions can only get better!
By: Jan Mader,
on 8/2/2009
If you're new to my blog and don't know who Tweedles is, please check out the comments to the last post and then go visit her blog. She's fun and creative!
Tweedles game me an idea for our next word game. All I want you to do is answer two questions.
1. What can a gentle breeze blow?
2. What can a strong wind blow?
Here are my answers:
1. tissue
2. a filled-to-the-brim flower pot C R A S H !
Everyone can play this fun word game. Usually the easiest answers are the ones that come to your mind first. It will help to look at the other comments, because they'll stir up more memories than you can imagine.
Your turn! What can a gentle breeze blow? What can a strong wind blow? Think fast!
As usual, feel free to come back again. Bring your kids!
By: Jan Mader,
on 7/21/2009
It's 2:33 in the morning and what am I doing? I'm thinking about words...what else? Below is a list of words that I use to help me paint an even better picture of a place I'm trying to describe...yes ONE place again. Look at my word list and chose five words to help you add more to your description.
If you're just joining us, describe ONE place (setting) that's in your mind's eye. By the way, if you're a teacher or a homeschooler, this is a fun way to teach prepositions. If you're a writer, these words will make you better writers. Most of all, just have fun. Do not worry about grammar with these exercises. Just wallow in the joy of what these words can conjure up in your imagination!
My list of words for you:
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
by
down
during
except
for
from
in
in front of
inside
instead of
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
on top of
out of
outside
over
past
since
through
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without
I'll use my list and go first!
Underneath the umbrella of trees
within the pasture fences
in front of the old door
between the gate and the mud puddle
among the sweet clovers
Your turn! Please share what you come up with. Coincidentally, you may have already used some of these words. Hmmm....I wonder!
By: Jan Mader,
on 7/14/2009
Let's start another list. This time let's make a list of words that indicate movement of any kind.
Think outside the box for this one. Leaves rustle when they move in the fall wind. Rabbits scurry when they dart out in front of your car. You get the idea. Have fun with this exercise!
Now it's your turn. List three words that show movement. Be creative!
1.
2.
3.
We'll use these words for something else later on, I promise! The more lists we get, the better. Please pass this activity along to anyone who likes to blog. Bloggers are writers!
By: Jan Mader,
on 7/4/2009
Happy 4th of July!
If you've been writing with me since January, you know all about braindropping. If you haven't, please take a minute to go back a look at the original post after you have fun with a mini version of a firecracking writing activity right now!
I braindrop with people of all ages. With young children (or when I'm short on time) we do it orally. I say a word and then rely on spontaneity. "Quick! Say the first word that comes to your mind when I say, summer," I tell the kids.
If you're really doing this game with a group of people, you play the same way. Never slow down. Quick! Quick! Quick! If you get to a person who doesn't have an immediate word, that person should say: "I can't think." Move to the next person faster than a race car that's in first place on the last lap. This is what makes braindropping fun.
Okay. Quick! What's the first word that comes to your mind when I say, "July 4th"? My word is the title of this post!
By: Jan Mader,
on 6/15/2009
Stories are so much fun. Often, I'll write the ending of a story before the beginning. Why? Because it gives me direction. It gives me someplace to go. Does my ending always stay the same? No. But it can.
Writers: Give it a try. I've written the ending of a story (one I actually wrote ages ago) below. You write the beginning and middle. A short paragraph or two to will fill in the gaps and give the ending some meaning.
After you're done, I'll tell you what the story was really about and who I wrote it for...actually, you do some writing and on Thursday I'll post my original story in its entirety. It will be fun to see the different directions we can go!
As usual, parents, you can talk this through with your kids. Let them help you. Make it a joint effort. Share the fun and love of writing together.
Here's the ending for you:
My hands were shaking like a washing machine out of balance as I reached out to hand her the crumpled up note. "We think this m-m-might be yours," I stammered. Hattie started to turn on heel and slam the door, but something made her change her mind. Her withered hand took the note from me, and as she begin to read, tears fell from her eyes and softened her wrinkled face.
"Thank you," she said.
It was as simple as that.
By: Jan Mader,
on 5/21/2009
Rather, let's rewrite a song. Everyone knows the song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, right? Let's have some fun with it...remember playing with words is absolutely positively fun!!
I'll go first. Here's my new song:
Twinkle twinkle cruddy ring
Dirt and dust have shot your bling
Years and time have made you dull
Not like rings still at the the mall
Twinkle twinkle cruddy ring
Dirt and dust have shot your bling!
Your turn! Only one rule: Start and end with the twinkle twinkle part. If you can't think of anything, ask your kids or grandkids or neighbor's kids! I'm sure they will give you some twinkling ideas that are far greater than mine!
By: Jan Mader,
on 4/22/2009
By now, most of you have at least inhaled spring. Even if the weather hasn't been good enough for you to go outside, your mind has been working and your senses have been ignited...right?
Use your senses to paint a spring picture with blossoming words...words that shout like art from a springtime canvas.
Here's an example of what I mean. I could say: I love to smell sweet spring air. That paints a little picture, but not one that's worth remembering.
Now I'll use my words to paint on a canvas for you: Delicate spring air tickled the buds on the tulips as they poked through the soft damp ground. See what I mean? Can you smell the tulips in the air?
Writers: Chose one spring idea from your list (last activity). Write a short sentence from that idea...plain and simple. You will probably have a telling sentence, much like the first one in the example above.
Now close your eyes and use your senses as a catalyst to ignite your creativity. Rewrite your original sentence. This time paint a lovely spring picture with your words.
Teachers and Parents: Do the same activity as above, but talk it though first.
Ask your children to change the telling sentences below to ones that burst with the flavor of spring.
Here are your telling sentences:
I like spring.
It is warm outside today.
I can hear birds sing.
Don't forget to add your two cents worth! When you're involved, your kids will want to paint with words. After you're through talking, ask your kids to write a sentence using the same two step process in the example above.
As usual, please share!
By: Jan Mader,
on 3/29/2009
Movement is art. It allows us to really show what is happening by creating pictures with our words. Today's writing activity was inspired by the howling, swirling wind that almost toppled the trees in my backyard.
Writers: Choose one of the groups of words listed below to include in a quick sentence or paragraph. As you work on your own writing this week, think about how these "moving" words awakened your creativity and inspired your ideas.
lumbering, meandering
slinking, slouching
gushing, leaking
sauntering, swaggering
scampering, scurrying
If any of the "moving" words on my list inspire other "moving" words for you, go right ahead and use your own words in a sentence or paragraph.
Please share!
Teachers and Parents: You can do this same activity with your kids, but first you have to arouse their imaginations. Talk to them about how a cat moves. Remind them that cats like to hunt and sleep in the sun. Create a list of some of the movements cats make before, during, and after hunting and sleeping. Hopefully, your list will include things like:
stalk
prowl
slink
pounce
stretch
curl, etc.
One more thing. Before you have your kids write about a cat, ask them to move their own bodies like one of the words on the list. You move too. In fact, show your kids how a cat stretches!
Now your kids should be ready to write with you. You might want to provide a writing prompt to start them off. Something easy like: The lazy cat was curled into a ball on the porch. Then......
Please share your kid's work. It will inspire all of us!
Did you know that I break into dance sometimes when I'm running to the songs on my iPod Shuffle?
I love it! What a great picture!! I can see you now!!
I love it! What a great picture!! I can see you now!!
Did you know that I have sold my house and am now about to embark on the next wonderful phase of my life.
Did you know I have this huge need to create in my soul but my mind thinks I have no talent.
Did you know that Jack Frost visited the forest last night, and he sprinkled glistening diamonds on the tree branches?
love
tweedles
Did you know that I have an appetite, that is as big as a grizzly bears?
love
tweedles
Did you know that I found the enormous pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and it was filled with dog biscuits?
love
tweedles
Oh Tweedles, I didn't know all that! What great pictures you painted!!!
Did any of you know that when the weather is cold and frosty I like to eat chili?
Did you know that I am a twenty something drop dead gorgeous super model in the body of an old hag with no teeth, whiskers and a pointy black hat?
Did you know that I saw the moon in the sky this morning, and it was the color of an orange pumkin!!
love
tweedles
Did you know that I sleep in my mommys bed and snuggle under the sheets and blankets?
love
tweedles