#WriteOut sponsored by the National Writing Project in partnership with the National Parks began yesterday with a wonderful video and prompt from Golden Gate National Recreation Area. My students and I had a productive day of writing in response.
As a teacher of writing, I am interested in prompts that lead to creative and imaginative writing. This first prompt did the job. Because there was a way into the story (a character enters a portal), students created a variety of different responses. Each one carried their character through the portal in interesting ways. Avalyn, second grade, chose herself as the character who finds the portal on the monkey bars and travels to the desert, then the rainforest, and back home where she lives happily ever after. Her story is here.
Katie and Jaden, 6th graders, chose to be animals in their stories. I think their chosen animals say a little about who they are. You can read their stories on Fanschool here and here.
Chloe’s story reminds me of a book I read this summer on Netgalley, Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt. It’s a book to grab up if you teach middle grades. It’s a lovely story of a camel who saves tiny twin kestrels from a dust storm. I loved all the characters in this book and love that it weaves in a history of camels in Texas. Chloe hasn’t read this book yet, but the creative magic wand waved over her with these words:
Once in a desert, a camel walked into a purple glowing light. He knew it was a portal. He shifted and swayed until he stopped, opened his eyes and saw a horse running around a castle that had the words “Mississippi Land” on it.
Read the whole story here
I wrote alongside my students and may work on my story for a regional Louisiana picture book idea. There, I put it in writing. I know it needs a lot of work, but what do you think about a mosquito and banana spider that take a ride through the swamp on a brown pelican?
The Write Out prompts and resources will be remain available on NWP’s website, so even if you don’t have time to work them into your lessons now, tuck them into a back pocket. They are gems!
Reflections on the Teche 
You and your students were successful. Thank you for introducing me to Join Write Out and your blog.
Yay, you put it in writing, and I will look forward to someday reading that sweet little children’s book. I just went and watched the Golden Gate National Recreation Area video prompt. That was cute. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your sweet student stories!
Choices, Writers Write
Choices, Teachers Write
Win / Win!
❤
Love the prompt. I’ll have to visit the page Margaret, thanks for sharing. As you said, something to stick in my back pocket! I love how you share your students’ work. Chloe’s description of the camel’s reaction to the glowing purple light was very imaginative and detailed – I could see the camel shift and sway! Your idea for a picture book sounds fabulous – Love those pelicans!
I love the prompts, Margaret! I’m keeping them for me, as my K writers aren’t quite up for that yet. So glad you and your students are participating!
You’re such an amazing teacher! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Margaret, Thanks for teaching me about this writing challenge. And I LOVE your writing idea. Keep going!! Maybe this is the decade you devote time to writing a picture book…or two.. or more! Thanks for sharing your student writing, too! So lovely!!