PEN IN HAND...Winter Prompts

SOC: Print Communications

When encouraging students to create a print comm (creative writing) project, remember to focus on the message and the finished product.  Each print communications piece should ultimately be "published".  (Yes, posting on the refrigerator door is publishing!)  


For this project, create a "canvas" that is special.  Perhaps you have some left over winter stationary used for your Christmas newsletters, if not, simply decorate paper with snowflake stamps or stickers.  Let your child select images on received Christmas cards to cut out and place on their writing paper.  Show that you respect the effort your child puts forth by providing him/her with appropriately decorated stationary.   


Think about where the finished project will be displayed and/or shared.  You may be surprised at how motivated your  child will be to write for you when he/she knows there is a purpose to the writing - that someone will read what they have written.

Winter Writing Prompts            
Choose from the prompts below to write a story or poem.

• The snow is falling and there is a small dog shivering in the doorway of the church... 

• SNOW DAY!   There is no school tomorrow so I think I'll...

• I looked through the front window at the snowman in the front yard.  All of a sudden...

• My Mom and Dad said it is going to snow tomorrow.  I'm so excited because I've never seen snow before.  (Describe what you think snow is like and tell what you will do.)

• Splat! Splat! Another snowball came flying..... 

• One huge icicle hung dangerously from the corner of the old house... 

• Thank God for the beauty of winter beginning with...

• Sitting by the warm fire I looked up to see...

• It's getting dark and I'm running home but there is so much snow, my boot gets stuck... 

• I want to go sledding but I don't own a sled.  Suddenly I have a great idea...

• I was ice skating on the pond when I saw a reflection....

                                                Create your own prompts! 

------------------------------------ 

Remember that this should not feel like homework.  Perhaps instead of writing stories, your child would enjoy using these ideas as verbal comm prompts.  Write each prompt on a separate strip of paper.  Have your child select one and then complete the sentence or make up a complete story and/or poem using the prompt (depending on the age of your child).   You may want to set a time limit - depending on your child's age, ability and attention span.   Have them keep talking until the timer goes off.  Remember that mom and dad (grandma & grandpa) must take a turn too!   NOTE:  Please don't assume that your child is too young or too old for this activity.  You might be surprised.   

Send us your child's response to the writing prompts by posting them in the comment box below!   We love seeing your children's writings and hope that your responses will motivate and inspire other parents and their children.