When I was in early elementary school, I remember when my teachers would give me time to free write: no prompt, no topic, no rules - just write. I created fictional characters, other worlds, gave my characters the same problems I was facing as an 8 year old and helped myself solve them through my characters. I wrote and drew to my heart's content without fear of judgement. It was a magical time and experience for my young self.
Through new standards and curricula in this day and age, I have found that my young students do not get the same opportunity for creativity that I did. They are given prompts, told to use proper punctuation, critiqued on letter formation, told they need need to focus on a specific moment of their day, told they must write an opinion piece, a how to manual, a fiction story based on real life - meaning it didn't really happen but it could; it isn't make believe. There is no room for my students to write fairytales, make up mythical creatures, fantasy lands, or write out a business plan for the rocket scientist they will be one day. While I cannot change my state's standards or my school's curricula, I can choose to swap out boring, rote morning work for journal time. I want my students to have a few minutes in the morning to write or draw whatever they want, letting their creativity run wild as they become to love writing and become avid writers.
As first graders in the fall, they write and draw fairly large while they develop their fine motor skills. This means that my 21 young students will each need several journals to fill throughout this school year. Thank you so much for considering donating to my project!
About my class
When I was in early elementary school, I remember when my teachers would give me time to free write: no prompt, no topic, no rules - just write. I created fictional characters, other worlds, gave my characters the same problems I was facing as an 8 year old and helped myself solve them through my characters. I wrote and drew to my heart's content without fear of judgement. It was a magical time and experience for my young self.
Through new standards and curricula in this day and age, I have found that my young students do not get the same opportunity for creativity that I did. They are given prompts, told to use proper punctuation, critiqued on letter formation, told they need need to focus on a specific moment of their day, told they must write an opinion piece, a how to manual, a fiction story based on real life - meaning it didn't really happen but it could; it isn't make believe. There is no room for my students to write fairytales, make up mythical creatures, fantasy lands, or write out a business plan for the rocket scientist they will be one day. While I cannot change my state's standards or my school's curricula, I can choose to swap out boring, rote morning work for journal time. I want my students to have a few minutes in the morning to write or draw whatever they want, letting their creativity run wild as they become to love writing and become avid writers.
As first graders in the fall, they write and draw fairly large while they develop their fine motor skills. This means that my 21 young students will each need several journals to fill throughout this school year. Thank you so much for considering donating to my project!
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