Welcome to tonight's #engsschat to discuss Creative Writing in ELA and Social Studies.
Please introduce yourself and share your favorite genre of writing. Don't forget to add #engsschat to your tweets!
Welcome to tonight's #engsschat to discuss Creative Writing in ELA and Social Studies.
Please introduce yourself and share your favorite genre of writing. Don't forget to add #engsschat to your tweets!
Hi #engsschat, this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA. My favorite genre of writing is non fiction prose, especially popular science and history of tech and pop culture.
Hello! Joanne from Missouri. I teach 7th grade world history and 11th grade modern global issues. My favorite genre is poetry. I was the only kid I knew who checked poetry books out of the library. #engsschat
(Sorry we’ll try that again) My name is Rachael McMillan! I am a first year teacher this fall, teaching six grade social studies at Jacksonville Middle School in Illinois, and my favorite genre of writing is poetry! #engsschat
Hi! I'm Michael - I teach US and mostly World History at a high school in MA. My favorite genre of writing is acrostic poetry.
I"m kidding. Picking my favorite writing genre is difficult, I do enjoy a good parody. #engsschat
We will use a Q1/A1, Q2/A2 format. Questions will have image cards as well as start with Q1, Q2, etc. Include A1, A2, etc. in your responses. If you have any questions, just ask. :)
Q1 coming up in 1 minute.
Q1: What type of creative writing tasks do you have students do?
(Extra credit for including assignment links, photos, student examples, etc.!)
#engsschat
A very popular writing assignment I used in history classes was what I called Historical Dear Abby. To see the assignment, and samples of great student work it generated, click https://t.co/6Z5UasHsD9#engsschat
Q1: What type of creative writing tasks do you have students do?
(Extra credit for including assignment links, photos, student examples, etc.!)
#engsschat
Not lame at all! My students have responded well to a RAFT I have them do about taxation. They write from perspective of absolute monarch (why tax hike needed) and then of a subject (how they will be affected). #engsschat
I'd like to do more creative writing in history.
We did one assignment where Enlightenment thinkers and different monarchs met at a coffee shop. These were plays and were a bit silly but I found them enjoyable. #engsschat
That sounds fun and a good way to help students deepen their understanding of those thinkers' views and how those ideas may have conflicted and/or complemented each other. #engsschat
I'd like to do more creative writing in history.
We did one assignment where Enlightenment thinkers and different monarchs met at a coffee shop. These were plays and were a bit silly but I found them enjoyable. #engsschat
Welcome to tonight's #engsschat to discuss Creative Writing in ELA and Social Studies.
Please introduce yourself and share your favorite genre of writing. Don't forget to add #engsschat to your tweets!
I'd like to do more creative writing in history.
We did one assignment where Enlightenment thinkers and different monarchs met at a coffee shop. These were plays and were a bit silly but I found them enjoyable. #engsschat
One of the years I was teaching in NY, the 10th grade ELA teacher and I (global studies) did a meeting of the minds assignment with Ss. It was really fun and they had to know their person and his/her ideas well. #engsschat
A1 (1/2) Ss will occasionally write first-person journals of people in history, such as Lewis & Clark or write a story about pioneers exploring Oregon Trail, etc.
Old school, but they enjoy it! #engsschat
Q1: What type of creative writing tasks do you have students do?
(Extra credit for including assignment links, photos, student examples, etc.!)
#engsschat
I'd like to do more creative writing in history.
We did one assignment where Enlightenment thinkers and different monarchs met at a coffee shop. These were plays and were a bit silly but I found them enjoyable. #engsschat
Oh yea! I did this one thing where students took on the personas of Enlightenment philosophers who are now alive (don't bother questioning why - science maybe) & had to explain to the world why they are relevant and react to modern issues. There was also trash talking #engsschat
A1 (1/2) Ss will occasionally write first-person journals of people in history, such as Lewis & Clark or write a story about pioneers exploring Oregon Trail, etc.
Old school, but they enjoy it! #engsschat
It was a little hard to read though because 100% of the girls told Stella to stay in an abusive relationship and to try harder, while almost 100% of the guys told her to leave. #engsschat
It was a little hard to read though because 100% of the girls told Stella to stay in an abusive relationship and to try harder, while almost 100% of the guys told her to leave. #engsschat
A1 (2/2) I'll also have starters where I'll give them an odd sentence or some words and they have to write a story using those guidelines. I use this site: https://t.co/AKpnMKw4wm. #engsschat
A2 Creative writing allows students to engage with content in ways they find most interesting, using skills they possess and/or want to develop. #engsschat
I think it is a good idea to vary the types of writing that students do. Not only to help develop various skills but to avoid feeling too repetitive. #engsschat
A2) I work with high school Ss and it seems they get fewer opportunities to be creative in school in the upper grades. It's fun and it helps them think about content in different ways. #engsschat
A2: Because it's IMPOSSIBLE to do formulaic creative writing like so many teachers do with non-fiction essays. It unleashes their imagination and gives them the opportunity to think critically, even if the writing is fictional. #engsschat
A1 Creative writing assignments were extremely difficult for me to write...still are. If I were to "assign" them (I'm an Instruc Coach/Rdg Spec, so I don't have own Ss), I would give students the chance to work individually or w/ a partner so ideas could flow together #engsschat
A1 (2/2) I'll also have starters where I'll give them an odd sentence or some words and they have to write a story using those guidelines. I use this site: https://t.co/AKpnMKw4wm. #engsschat
A2 I LOVE seeing the creativity and Ss choice in design/writing their piece. It's fun to get creative- we NEED more of this. Not expository all the time. #engsschat
It did - but it was a difficult discussion. I teach newcomer ESL and there were clear cultural and demographic trends evident in the responses. And the trends were the opposite of what some people might have expected. #engsschat
A2 having students do creative writing in a ss class shows them that writing is a part of everything, not just their English class. It connects subject areas, and makes them think outside the box, not separate subjects areas #engsschat
That's understandable. Group or partner creative writing would provide additional opportunities for them to discuss content and get over some writing hurdles. #engsschat
A1 Creative writing assignments were extremely difficult for me to write...still are. If I were to "assign" them (I'm an Instruc Coach/Rdg Spec, so I don't have own Ss), I would give students the chance to work individually or w/ a partner so ideas could flow together #engsschat
It did - but it was a difficult discussion. I teach newcomer ESL and there were clear cultural and demographic trends evident in the responses. And the trends were the opposite of what some people might have expected. #engsschat
It was hilarious. I loved hearing the stories that came from this line, and I only gave them 5 minutes to write! I wish I kept their notebooks, so I could share! #engsschat
I once had students write a diary from the perspective of a slave, from being taken in chains from his village, throughout the horrific voyage across the ocean. Required research, including researching slave names, where they landed and were sold. Very enlightening. #engsschat
This sounds like a group project we should all try during the year and share out results. It could be an epic #sandwichdoesnotwork thread! :) #engsschat
It was hilarious. I loved hearing the stories that came from this line, and I only gave them 5 minutes to write! I wish I kept their notebooks, so I could share! #engsschat
A2 I have to say I was a creative writing naysayer not too long ago, but seeing how excited Ss get whenever they are given an opportunity to use their imaginations to create these stories has made me a believer. Their excitement spills over into other assignments! #engsschat
A3 I think that creative writing is fantastic for teaching Ss how to use details to describe a setting, create a mood, etc. The more details and the more specific Ss can get, the better! #engsschat
That's a great observation! If creative opportunities spark excitement for learning throughout the course, they are a win-win! We'll be talking about factors that keep us from offering creative opportunities later in the chat. #engsschat
A2 I have to say I was a creative writing naysayer not too long ago, but seeing how excited Ss get whenever they are given an opportunity to use their imaginations to create these stories has made me a believer. Their excitement spills over into other assignments! #engsschat
A3 1/2 Well, first off the basics of English, such as capitalization, punctuation, paragraphing, sentence structure. Those are just things that ALWAYS need to be worked on #engsschat
A3 2/2 but also, understanding point of view of someone else is a large learning experience. That will probably involve research, which they will always get better at the more they do it #engsschat
A3: Stamina, vocabulary development, grammar (e.g. using the past tense in history), fluidity in writing, critical thinking - all possible when writing about something you WANT to be writing about. #engsschat
This is one of my absolute favorite activities - writing after viewing a visual prompt. You're gonna love this one!! https://t.co/gJ2ToSWBVJ through-art-link #engsschat
Q4: What suggestions or guidelines can help teachers assign creative writing tasks that are not problematic or harmful? Case in point, an EC assignment where Ss were asked to create a "runaway slave" ad.
#engsschat
Nope. If anything, I focus on conventions & style more than I would on argumentative or informational writing, since I'm focusing on content on those type of papers #engsschat
A4 Give examples, be very specific about what you're looking for and what you consider appropriate or inappropriate. Def need to think ahead about what Ss could come up with in their writing and beat them to the punch! #engsschat
A good reminder that we need to think about the purpose of the assignment. What is the learning goal? How does the assignment/activity help achieve that goal? #engsschat
A4: I prefer to give the option of examining a topic from a creative lens or from a research-based lens. This assignment is inappropriate for innumerable reasons. In general, if they prefer to tackle a tough topic in a research-based way instead, totally fine. #engsschat
Q4: What suggestions or guidelines can help teachers assign creative writing tasks that are not problematic or harmful? Case in point, an EC assignment where Ss were asked to create a "runaway slave" ad.
#engsschat
Hate to leave early but I'm on the @AtchisonLibrary board, and we have a mtg tonight! TY all for sharing how you use creative writing in your classes. Looking fwd to catching up on your As later tonight. #engsschat
A4 Give examples, be very specific about what you're looking for and what you consider appropriate or inappropriate. Def need to think ahead about what Ss could come up with in their writing and beat them to the punch! #engsschat
I think that trying to put students in the shoes of someone who went through a tragedy should not be done. There is no real way to truly get into their shoes and really - it just seems wrong. #engsschat
A4 rather than identifying what not to write, embrace and support Ss writing process through conferences and scaffolded questions that organically lead Ss to the end result-achieving standard and/or understanding of specific skill through personal revision. #engsschat
In the final lesson of my world history 2 course, I have Ss write a proposal to a governing body with ideas for how to solve a current global issue. They also have to anticipate and address possible points of opposition. #engsschat
A5. I just love sharing a tremendous resource twice :-)
As the chart explains there are different types of writing for different purposes and subject areas. #engsschat
A4 I have my high school students RAFT about modern issues like Nafta. They seem to like the choices, but I'm always open to their suggestions. #engsschat
A5: The pressure to teach argument writing, argument writing, argument writing. That's what's on the tests. Cite sources. "According to..." 🤦🏻♀️ even the kids resist creative writing because they want to practice for exams. #engsschat
A5. Here is a terrific resource about using Mentor Text for students to create opinion writing. I ADORE using literature connected with writing. https://t.co/Ck94bTvBdL#engsschat
A5) I know that sometimes in the need to get through content, particularly in the face of a high stakes EOC assessment, it can feel like there's not time to do something like creative writing. However, if it helps info stick with students, it's probably worth it. #engsschat
How might creative writing tasks be structured to require some elements of argument writing? Or is there value in doing something different & exercising different "mental muscles?" #engsschat
A5: The pressure to teach argument writing, argument writing, argument writing. That's what's on the tests. Cite sources. "According to..." 🤦🏻♀️ even the kids resist creative writing because they want to practice for exams. #engsschat
The closest I ever came was making them find evidence to defend an absurd conspiracy theory after evaluating evidence from a high-profile trial. #engsschat
LOL Good night! I have an ELA colleague who has her Ss work toward the creation of a children's book in one semester of, I think, English 9. #engsschat
Based on Michael's departing point, can you imagine having Ss writing children's books about particular topics/content in various subjects? Might that be a way to collaborate w/ different subject colleagues as well as help Ss in primary grades in your district? #engsschat
A5 As a younger teacher, and now sometimes, I do not feel as comfortable teaching CW as I do other things. It wasn't a strength personally or focused upon in teacher prep. Also, most are teaching to whatever the next expectation is, feeling there is little time for CW. #engsschat
That's such an important observation. It is hard for us to teach w/ strategies that we didn't experience as Ss or learn about in our preparation. Anyone have suggestions or advice for Matoaca? #engsschat
A5 As a younger teacher, and now sometimes, I do not feel as comfortable teaching CW as I do other things. It wasn't a strength personally or focused upon in teacher prep. Also, most are teaching to whatever the next expectation is, feeling there is little time for CW. #engsschat
I forgot to share this when we were on Q4, but this @Tolerance_org article has some good points to consider about classroom simulations. I wondered if some of them might also apply to creative writing assignments. https://t.co/MgI9rfK03F#engsschat
That's such an important observation. It is hard for us to teach w/ strategies that we didn't experience as Ss or learn about in our preparation. Anyone have suggestions or advice for Matoaca? #engsschat
A5 As a younger teacher, and now sometimes, I do not feel as comfortable teaching CW as I do other things. It wasn't a strength personally or focused upon in teacher prep. Also, most are teaching to whatever the next expectation is, feeling there is little time for CW. #engsschat
You're welcome!
Beginning over a decade ago, when I ran into an amazing article I would bookmark and tag it and then save it into @diigo Now I can quickly search through all of those articles for exactly the info needed. #engsschat
Great idea! This could offer opportunities for direct collaboration on a particular unit or maybe even more expansive collaboration for entire courses (American literature and U.S. history, for example). #engsschat
A6 if assigning creative writing in a ss classroom, ask for the rubrics/standards from the ELA teacher. Then the assignment expectations align with what is expected of in the Ss’s ELA classroom #engsschat
A6 Talk to one another & share. We were working on writing w/graphic org. Ss asked if they could use one from ELA. Said yea and opened sharing. #engsschat
A6 if assigning creative writing in a ss classroom, ask for the rubrics/standards from the ELA teacher. Then the assignment expectations align with what is expected of in the Ss’s ELA classroom #engsschat
Thanks so much for everyone who shared ideas in tonight's #engsschat. I look forward to learning more from you and hope you'll join us on the final Monday in July for our next #engsschat.
Thanks so much for everyone who shared ideas in tonight's #engsschat. I look forward to learning more from you and hope you'll join us on the final Monday in July for our next #engsschat.
