Enhancing Your Writing by Heightening the Senses

October! A wonderful time to write about creepy crawlies, howling wolves, blood sucking vampires and other things that go bump in the night.
How do I get my kids excited about writing? Heighten their senses and write their story "on the air!"

My classroom almost always has music playing. Calming piano while reading, disco dance remix during scoot games, and other soft music while working. Music enhances the way we learn!

This past week, I wanted my students to complete a spooky story writing piece (that I also wanted to use my assessment.  I could have told them plain and simple what I wanted and to do a boring brainstorming story web. But what I did INSTEAD, ended up producing ABSOLUTELY AMAZING stories from all my students - even my reluctant writers!

How to enhance your writing by heightening the senses

1. Put on some mood music (in this case, it was instrumental Halloween music from youtube)
2. Invite them to the carpet in a low voice, with the music playing and lights dimmed.
3. Communicate expectations
      In this case, I wanted them to write a spooky story where they HAD to include a ghost named Leopold, the number 1934 or 2478, a problem or mystery that had to be solved. Students were also expected to  have an awesome opening sentence and fantastic closing.

4. For about 2-3 minutes, I had the students close their eyes and start imagining their story (music being turned louder and softer throughout this time)

5. Then, I had the students "float around the room" like ghosts. I would shout, "stop and tell!" Students would tell their story to someone for about 45 seconds. I would stop them and then they would float and tell someone again. The third time, they only share their opening sentence. The fourth time, just the mystery in the story. And lastly, how the problem was solved. Essentially, they talked to about 4-5 people about their story.

6. Then they were ready to write!

The music was turned on, softer this time. Students got right to work and wrote for almost an hour straight! They were so excited and passionate to write more and more!

I've never had students get so excited to get going on their stories! I started using more music and mood setting exercises in the classroom when it's time to write and it's been well working so far!
Give it a go and heighten your students' senses before writing!

Classroom Environments

Classroom Environments! Teachers spend hours and days on end trying to put together the perfect classroom that will support rich learning experiences, speak to a variety of learning styles and represent their style!

Personally, I can't get ANYTHING done planning wise until I've set up the perfect classroom environment. This year, I worked hard to design a classroom environment that supports mental wellness. No unnecessary clutter on the shelves and no commercial "poster pals" on the walls!  My colour themes are slick but calm. I was also mindful to not use too many bright colours that competed for a child's attention.

My classroom incorporates lots of pillows and comfortable seating spots for children to learn and work. I've also purchased some positive quote frames to help support mental wellness and build positivity and self-confidence. "Living Room Chic" is the environment that works for us in Room 17.

Furthermore, all the grade 4/5 teams are doing a Hollywood theme this year! I've incorporated some "Hollywood" aspects into my classroom without going Hollywood "cheesy."