Writing Center

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“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth

Task of the Day:

(Teacher, select a task card and tape it here.)

Instructions:

1. Read the prompt on the task card. 2. Grab a sheet of creative writing paper

and begin writing according to the prompt.

3. Write any imaginative thoughts that come to your mind. Add details that make your writing creative and interesting.

4. Use more than one sheet if necessary. 5. Illustrate your writing.

Title: “__________________________” by: ________________

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____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

My Illustration

Task Card 1

Write about what it would be like to be president for a day. Would you enjoy it? Why or why not?

What things would you do? How would you change our country? Would you make a good president? Why or why not?

Task Card 2

Pretend that you just won a million dollars. What would you do with it and why?

Would you be happy? Why or why not?

Task Card 3

If you could have any super power, what would it be and why? What would you do with your super power?

Task Card 4

Imagine that you had a pet that could talk. What kind of pet would it be? Describe its characteristic traits. Would you enjoy

having this pet in real life? Why or why not?

Task Card 5

Imagine that you could go anywhere in the world for a day. Where would you go and why? What kinds of things would you

see and do?

Task Card 6

If you could be any character from a book, who would it be? Describe some of your favorite characteristic traits about him/

her. Why would you want to be this character?

Task Card 7

Imagine that you just invented a robot. What kind of robot would it be? What kinds of things could it do?

Task Card 8

Imagine that you could go on any game show (E.g. “Wheel of Fortune”). Which game show would you want to go on? Describe what you hope your experience would be like.

Task Card 9

What do you want to be when you grow up? What kind of career would you like to have and why? How

would your family look like, or would you want to live alone?

Task Card 10

If you had a genie who could grant you three wishes, what would those wishes be and why? (Sorry, you can not wish for

more wishes.)

Task Card 11

If you could switch lives with anyone in your family, which family member would it be and why?

Task Card 12

Imagine that you were stranded on a deserted island. What would your plan for survival be?

Task Card 13

Pretend that you only had one day left to live. What would want to do before you die? Why?

Task Card 14

Imagine that you could have any meal you wanted at the snap of your fingers (just one meal).

What meal would it be? Describe it.

Task Card 15

If you could live anywhere else in the country, where would you want to live? Why?

How would life be different for you compared to how it is now?

Task Card 16

Pretend that you just found out that your mom is going to have sextuplets! You are going to have six more babies at home.

Would you enjoy it? Why or why not? What would your life be like with six (more) younger siblings in your home?

Task Card 17

Imagine that you lived in the mansion of your dreams. What does that mansion look like on the inside and outside?

Task Card 18

Would you want world peace? Why or why not? What does world peace look like to you?

Task Card 19

If you could go back into time and relive any memory, which would you choose and why?

Task Card 20

Finish this story: “One day, I got lost at the mall…”

Task Card 21 (Teacher Created)

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PPooeettrryy You’ll learn how to write the following

types of poems:

CCiinnqquuaaiinn DDiiaammaannttee AAccrroossttiicc

HHaaiikkuu LLiimmeerriicckk

Teacher Directions: 1. Post the cover page and the

Student Directions at the center so that students know what to do.

2. Cut out the sample poems. 3. Laminate the poems (optional). 4. Photocopy the worksheets (about

10 of each). 5. If you have a tray, place the

sample poems in the top tray and the worksheets in the bottom tray.

It’s as easy as that!

Student Directions: 1. Read all five of the sample poems. 2. Pick the sample poem that you

enjoyed best. 3. Find the worksheet that tells you

how to write that kind of poem. 4. Using the worksheet as a guide,

write your own poem. 5. If there’s time, try another poem!

*Bonus Step*

Illustrate your poem on a separate sheet of drawing paper.

(Sample Poem #1: Cinquain)

school fun, creative

learning, reading, exploring playing with my friends

education

(Sample Poem #2: Diamante)

winter cold, wet

raining, snowing, frosting gloves, scarves, sandals, sun

playing, shining, burning bright, hot summer

(Sample Poem #3: Acrostic)

H as many friends who love her E veryone is special to her A lways helps others in need T akes good care of her pets H as a good sense of humor E ncourages others to do their best R eaches for the stars

(Sample Poem #4: Haiku)

The very last fall leaves Dropping to the ground like snow

Announcing winter

(Sample Poem #5: Limerick)

There was an old man with a beard, Who said, “It is just as I feared!

Two owls and a hen, Four larks and a wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard!”

Cinquain

Line 1: A noun that tells what your poem is about

Line 2: Two adjectives that describe the noun

Line 3: Three “–ing” words that describe what your noun does

Line 4: A 4-word phrase that tells more about your noun

Line 5: A synonym for your noun (also a noun)

______________

______________, ______________

______________, ______________, ______________

____________ ___________ ___________ ___________

______________

Cinquains are 5-line poems that describe a noun.

Diamante

Step 1: Think of two nouns that are complete opposite of each other. Write one on Line 1 and the other on Line 7. Step 2: On Line 2, write two adjectives that describe the noun on Line 1. Step 3: On Line 3, write three “-ing” words that relate to Line 1. Step 4: Write two nouns that relate to Line 1 on the first two lines of Line 4. Step 5: Write two nouns that relate to Line 7 on the last two lines of Line 4. Step 6: Write three “-ing” words that relate to the noun in Line 7 on Line 5. Step 7: Write two adjectives that describe the noun in Line 7 on Line 6.

1:______________

2:______________, ______________

3:______________, ______________, ______________

4:___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

5:______________, ______________, ______________

6:______________, ______________

7:______________

Diamantes are diamond-shaped poems that contrast two nouns

Acrostic

For this acrostic poem, use the letters of your name as the first letter of each line. Each line should tell something unique about you. If your name is short, use your

last name also. If it’s long, you can use a nick name instead.

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

An acrostic poem is written by using each letter of a word as

the first letter of each line.

Haiku

Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables

Now, write two Haiku poems:

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

A Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that focuses on nature.

Their lines typically don’t rhyme.

Limerick

Follow these rules to write your own Limerick:

1. Lines 1, 2 and 5 each have seven to ten syllables. 2. Lines 3 and 4 each have five to seven syllables. 3. The lines have an ‘a a b b a’ rhyming pattern because Lines 1, 2 and 5

rhyme with one another. 4. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with one another. 5. The last word of Lines 1 or 2 can also be the last word of the poem.

1: ______________________

2:______________________

3:______________________

4:______________________

5:______________________

Limericks are funny poems that follow specific rules

and structure.

Writing Games

This center is loaded with fun games and activities, because writing should always be fun!

Simple Subjects & Simple Predicates Game

Student Instructions:

1. Shuffle the simple subject and simple predicate piles of cards.

2. Pick up one simple subject and one simple predicate. 3. Use the two words correctly and creatively in a

sentence on the game sheet.

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Teacher Instructions:

1. Cut out the subject & predicate game cards and place them into two decks.

2. Copy the game sheet for students to use. 3. Display the student instructions at your center.

frogs castle

robots

artifacts

kangaroo

riddles

shadows koalas

Simple Subjects

imagination computer

glacier

birthday

centipede

friend

brother spinach

Simple Subjects

flew was

dances

glided

dreams

tasted

swam thinks

Simple Predicates

became sleeps

created

asked

wants

lived

drew invited

Simple Predicates

Simple Subjects & Simple Predicates Game Sheet Subject Predicate My Sentence

May the Better Sentence Win! Game

Student Instructions:

1. You and your partner will pick up one of the “dull sentences” strips for the both of you to improve.

2. Each one of you will then get your own game sheet and try to improve the sentence as best you can. You must keep all of the words on the strip.

3. Honestly vote on the better sentence. If you are having a disagreement, you may need the help of a third student or teacher. Play until you fill up the game sheet.

4. The player with the most points wins!

--------------------------------------------- Teacher Instructions:

1. Cut out the “dull sentences” strips and place them in a pile. 2. Copy the game sheet (about one for each of your students). 3. Display the student instructions at your center.

Dull Sentences

I went to the zoo.

My dad bought a car.

I took a plane to school.

Jenny’s birthday is tomorrow.

I will sing in the play.

I woke up late this morning.

Will you go?

Tommy likes to play.

Dull Sentences

I dreamt.

Toads can’t talk.

Pigs don’t fly.

I can’t wait.

Mary is my friend.

Owls slept.

The mice ran.

The grass is wet.

May the Better Sentence Win! Game Sheet Player’s Name: _____________________

Dull Sentence Improved Sentence Win? Y/N

May the Better Ad Win! Game

Student Instructions:

1. You and your partner will both grab one ad photo. 2. Create an improved ad for that item by re-drawing it in a

more creative way on your own game sheet. Then, write a persuasive sentence or slogan to entice buyers towards your product. Be detailed and creative!

3. The better ad wins a point. You may need to ask a third student or the teacher which ad is more appealing. ------------------------------------------

Teacher Instructions:

1. Cut out and laminate (optional) the ad photos. 2. Copy the game sheets. 3. Post the student instructions

Ad Photos

Game Sheet

Sample:

“The most succulent super burger you’ve ever tasted!”

“Teaching is my calling and students are my blessings.” -Mrs. Stephanie Yang

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