Name: ICHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-05T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-07T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

Tagged: creative writing, writing center, Written Narrations

This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by Wings2fly.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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March 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Wings2fly
Participant
My son will be 10 and will need to start doing written narrations. He loves to draw and is very good at it, but has never had much interest in writing. He does transcription (copywork) and Spelling Wisdom copywork and dictation.
My daughter is 7 and has recently taken interest in writing. She calls herself an author and is currently working on her autobiography (her own words). It is a journal really. She likes to draw some too. She uses Draw Write Now for copywork.
I would like to put together a Writing Center to encourage creative writing projects. I am challenged when it comes to organizing and creating these things. Please share any ideas about supplies, references, containers, and ideas to encourage writing. I would like to keep to CM principles, but I wonder what I should require here for school.
In searching the web, I found this blog so far:
http://www.hsclassroom.net/homeschool-writing-center/
I like the idea of adapting the writing center to the students as they grow, but I need more ideas on what printouts, projects, etc. to use here.
I recently purchased Braver Writer’s book I plan to use too. But I have not read it yet.
Any ideas on creating a writing center with a CM flare are appreciated.
March 13, 2014 at 8:29 pm
MountainMamma
Participant
I remember seeing a neat “Writing Nook” on Ann Voscamp’s website. Scroll down about halfway and you will see it. She has a small desk, paper, and Story Cubes. HTH!
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/09/5-secrets-for-every-day-one-first-day-back-to-school/
March 13, 2014 at 9:13 pm
srlord
Participant
I think this idea is from a homeschooling book by Linda Dobson. The idea was to cut-out just photographs (people, places, wildlife, objects) from old National Geographic magazines (or other magazines) and put them into a folder for creative writing. The child would then select one each week and write a story about it. Rainbow Resource has a 99 black and white photo set that I have been considering but I think those have prompts on the back, which I really would like to avoid for creative writing. Also, at garage sales, I can usually get old National Geographics for free or for cents each. Cheap is good, free is great! =)
I LOVE getting these interesting writings from my son. I think I am going to make a bound book of the writings with the photo at some point, maybe a graduation present. It is really amazing the different perspectives different people have on a photo. I only have one child, but I would imagine it would be interesting to compare each other’s “take” on a photo.
March 13, 2014 at 9:16 pm
TailorMade
Participant
did you notice the link to the Art Tales webiste posted earlier today? maybe that might trigger ideas?
March 13, 2014 at 9:50 pm
nerakr
Participant
I haven’t used these for a writing center–yet–but I found some silly story cards in the dollar bin at Walmart. You select three cards and create a story around them. The cards could be an umbrella, a car, and George Washington.
March 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
HSMAMA
Participant
I took all of the tips and suggestions mentioned in TWJ (Bravewriter) and from her daily emails and I put them on index cards, then we pick a card each day and complete it. I haven’t heard a single complaint from either of my kids since we started this. They think it’s so much fun and seem to overlook the fact that they are being asked to write. We also started a narration jar. Some of these activities are writing, others are drawing, skits, etc. I think it’s the fact that they get to actually pick the activity that has helped. It’s not a case of Mom forcing this cruel and unusual punishment on them. LOL
March 15, 2014 at 12:26 am
andream
Participant
Wings 2 fly, I love the ideas in the website you shared. I’d love to hear of anymore ideas or resources you find to make a writing center.
March 29, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Wings2fly
Participant
I posted pictures of our writing center on my blog today.
https://wherelearningabounds.wordpress.com/2015/03/29/our-creative-writing-center/
My daughter loves it and uses it often, but my son has no interest in it. I suppose I made it too girly. But I enjoy using it too. I will probably add the Story Cubes at some point, and maybe a jar of writing prompts or a notecard box, as I get the Bravewriter emails too.