Today I officially launch my debut children’s book, “The Splendid Spark”, the first in what I hope to be several more, and yet I can’t help but reflect, not only on the journey that brought me here but also on the rollercoaster of emotions that accompanied each stage of the process.1 Each time I revisit the pages, I’m struck by a whirlwind of feelings – excitement, doubt, inspiration, frustration, and ultimately, a sense of accomplishment. Amidst these emotions, I recognize the significance of reaching this milestone and am led to think about how this journey parallels the writing experiences of students in the ELA classroom and the myriad of emotions that are ‘sparked’ along the way.
To complicate matters, the teachers with whom I’ve supported this year have been told that “writing doesn’t count” (at least as far as school scores and state assessments are concerned), and so are left in a quandary, exacerbating the already confusing emotions inherent in the writing process. However, writing isn’t just about meeting test requirements; quite frankly, it fosters social-emotional learning. When we get our kiddos writing, they explore their feelings, develop empathy, and build resilience, all of which are essential skills for navigating the complexities of the world.
So the teachers ask, “If it doesn’t count, do we teach it? And if we do, how do we help our students navigate the feelings elicited during the process, ensuring they’re not only proficient writers but also resilient young adults equipped to tackle life’s challenges?“
My answer. . .
We can’t afford NOT to teach writing
Regardless of what the test dictates, it’s imperative that we acknowledge and support our students through the writing process and the emotional journey they’ll embark upon during. We must create opportunities for them to experience the full spectrum of emotions – from the exhilarating thrill of inspiration to the crushing weight of writer’s block – and provide them with the tools they need to navigate these feelings constructively.
Here are 6 ideas to involve students with real-world writing scenarios that won’t eat away at too much time from daily instruction and still engages them in emotionally connecting with the process of writing .
1. Letter Writing Campaign: Engage students in a letter-writing campaign addressing relevant issues in their school, their community or beyond. This activity not only encourages students to express their emotions authentically but also provides a platform for empathy and connection as they consider the feelings of their audience.
2. Collaborative Storytelling: Initiate a collaborative storytelling project where each student contributes a paragraph or chapter to a shared narrative. This activity fosters a sense of camaraderie as students navigate the emotional twists and turns of collective creativity, supporting each other through moments of self-doubt and celebrating breakthroughs together.
3. Mock Interviews: Invite professionals from various fields to conduct mock interviews with students. This activity offers students the opportunity to experience the nerves and excitement of real-world interactions while honing their communication skills. Through peer feedback and reflection, they can navigate the emotional rollercoaster of self-assessment and growth.
4. Public Service Announcement (PSA): Task students with creating a PSA addressing a pertinent issue affecting their peers or the wider community. This project allows students to channel their emotions into advocacy, empowering them to speak out on topics that matter to them and fostering a sense of agency and responsibility.
5. Blogging or Podcasting: Encourage students to maintain a class blog or podcast where they share their thoughts, reflections, and creative works. This was a great activity I initiated at the end of the year, some time back with my sophomores, that provides a safe space for students to explore their emotions, express themselves authentically, and receive validation and support from their peers and teachers.
6. Write a Product Review: Encourage students to explore their consumer voice by writing product reviews on Amazon or other online platforms. This activity not only provides a real-world context for writing but also allows students to practice persuasive writing skills as they articulate their opinions on various products. Through crafting reviews, students can learn to analyze products critically, express their thoughts clearly and concisely, and consider the impact of their words on potential consumers.
Although most of our students may never aspire to publish a book per se, by integrating small real-world writing opportunities into daily instruction, we not only equip students with essential writing skills and the stages of that process, but also nurture their emotional intelligence and fuel their resilience.
Supporting our kiddos through the highs and lows of the writing process and empowering them to become confident, empathetic, and expressive communicators is by far something they and those around them can benefit from. Who knows, you may very well have the next Beverly Cleary or Roald Dahl sitting in your classroom.
Now that would be simply splendid!
- To learn more about my debut children’s book, “The Splendid Spark” visit splendid-spark.com ↩︎