It's amazing what children can imagine and create in their minds. They can go to the moon and back on an elephant that can fly, or swim under ocean waters with mermaids during lunch time.

The elementary school years are an opportune time to develop and enrich creative writing skills in students. Creative writing can be a release, a mind building exercise or just a way to pass the time. One of the best ways to engage those students who shy away from writing is to assign various creative writing assignments.

There are a few factors that should be followed to ensure a pleasant experience for each individual student:

1. Create a topic that all of the students can benefit from. For example, "write about your favorite place"
2. You may suggest illustrations to accompany the story, but make it optional at first, this way they won't become overwhelmed with too big of a project.
3. Include a block of class time for the writing project, this gives the students a chance to ask questions one on one if they find that they need assistance.

One popular project that can stimulate the mind using both writing and art (optional) is the "Write Kite". Three different sentences are written on the board. The topic should vary in each sentence to offer variety to the students.

For example: "If I was to change into any kind of animal I would be a ____________, because_____________," Have students pick one of the three sentences and copy it onto a piece of white paper from one long end of the paper to the other. Have them write three correlating sentences or even ideas that can be associated with the topic they chose. Make a cylinder with the sentences facing out. Next, staple or tape the paper together along the seam of the paper.

Depending on the age of students that are being taught, either have them cut out six to eight strips of different colored paper,each measuring 1" across and 6" down,(this can definitely be adjusted to the teacher's liking) or, have the strips precut for them.

On each strip have the student write one word that describes what they wrote about. Staple the completed strips around the bottom of the cylinder, words facing out. The kite should resembl that of a Chinese kite. The teacher can then attach string to the top of the kites and hang them throughout the classroom.

This kind of creative writing has proved to be much more effective than simply writing in a daily journal. The students and parents as well, enjoy seeing their accomplishments presented in a creative way.

Learn more about this author, Allison Hickman.
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