Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for March Slice of Life Challenge.
Julianne gave me an idea. She told me about an idea she heard from Cornelius Minor about making a box of items to prompt writing. She posted about her treasure box yesterday. Click here.
I started with a box from Tiny Prints (Our Christmas cards came in this box.)
I gathered Mod Podge, scissors, a sponge brush, and some papers that I had already gel printed. You could use any kind of decorated paper. I’ve been wanting to find some way to use my gel printed paper.
Step one: Cover the box with decorated paper. I like the way Mod Podge paints on so you have fewer wrinkles.
I continued to layer until the design pleased me. I found a postcard from Irene Latham that said “Live your Poem” and put that on the top. I labeled the box “Writing Treasures.”
Completed box. I thread a colorful ribbon through a hole to make a decorative pull.
Here is a collection of items I found around my house.
Inside the box, I placed found items. These items could be anything that fits. A rock, a peacock feather, a poem, a wooden whistle, a ceramic turtle, a message in a bottle, pretty cards, magnifying glass, a shell, etc.
My students were able to dig around and find an item to prompt their writing. I told them it could lead you to a memory, a poem, or a wonder.
I am really working hard this year to keep our writing momentum going. Last week it was the badges. This week a treasure box. Do you have any more ideas to inspire writing?
I love how creative you are. That box turned out so beautiful. I use tiny objects too. I got them from some old game I have. I’ll find you the name because it’s a great game for GT kids.
As I started to read your post and got to “writing prompt” I cringed because I thought of sentences like “Write about…” I hated to be told what I had to write when in school and I think that is why o love writing workshop so much – the choice to write my story! But as I read on, I ended your piece thinking, “This is brilliant!” The found objects provide unlimited choice for that writing struggling to name a topic. And I loved seeing your artistic style as the box was created. So glad you included pictures!!
I cannot wait the read the writing this box inspires, Margaret. I’m putting my box together now as well, and having great fun with it.
I love this idea
Your box is beautiful! A work of art that will inspire more.
Looks wonderful, Margaret. I don’t know if it’s a “lasting” idea, but sometimes I would bring in a lot of fruit to spark their food memories. And I have a collection of menus that I also used for food writing and/or restaurant memories. Enjoy putting things in the box. Wish I lived closer & I would contribute!
Sometimes it just takes one thing to bring a memory or thought to spur writing. You should ask kids to bring things to contribute to the box (things they don’t want back). What if you suggested that they write from the perspective of something in the box. Your paper and box are gorgeous!
Such a great idea!!! Love your box! It’s beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing. Going to look for a box to use right now.
I saw Julieanne’s post yesterday but had actually forgotten the idea until I reread it here. LOVE how you made your own beautiful box to store these treasures. I want to make one to keep in the office for when students wind up waiting there. We could have paper and writing utensils and idea items. Awesome teaching!
Maybe we will see more of these boxes before March is over. I think a lot of us will be inspired by you and Julianne to try this for our students.
Beautiful, Margaret! I might have to make a box like this myself. I’m looking forward to reading the writing that your box generates.
[…] First we had to write poems. On Michelle Barnes’ site Today’s Little Ditty, she interviewed one of our favorite poets, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, about her new book Every Day Birds. Last year we Skyped with Amy on the day she had received the proofs for this book. We had an exclusive sneak peek at the book. Amy’s Ditty of the Month Challenge is to write about something small. (And I just happen to have a treasure box full.) […]
[…] Simon wrote a fabulous post about assembling her “treasure box”, and I had high hopes of following her […]