Wordle Writing Fluency

"Writing is hard fun." ~ Donald Murray

Writing is not easy.

Imagine all the neurons navigating and flying through your mind as you push that pencil across the paper to inscribe your images and ideas. The image of your mind must translate to words flowing to your fingertips of the sketch in your mind to become scribbles of notes or power in prose or poetry.

To help build fluency so ideas can flow fast, develop a routine of Power Writing, based on the work of Peter Elbow. Ten minutes of time daily will enable you to move ideas from mental thoughts to written work. Here's how:

Power Writing

Create a list of at list six words that will serve as topic ideas. You may write on any topic, however.

The basic process is:

1. Think.
2. Write.
3. Count.
4. Repeat two more times.

Think about the ideas the words suggest or your own topic for twenty seconds.

Write for two minutes (you may want to start with one minute and build to three minutes; we've even written for three five minute sessions). If you get stuck, just write the last word you wrote over and over until an idea pops into your head. Your receive credit for the number of different words you write. Your fluency should improve over time.

After two minutes (or whatever time allotted), stop and count their words, writing the number at the top of the page. Some people keep track of these and take averages.

Repeat --Think. Write. Count-- two more times.

Options:
Share writing with partners.
Circle your favorite.
Edit one section.
Keep a form of each set of three with an average for each set of three.
Ask for show of hands for number of words written (80, 70, 60, etc.).

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From where can you easily obtain word lists to use?

My students love the Wordles I create for our Power Writing (samples here). I google topics on which we are learning. My google searches have included:

kids moose
kids cougar
kids fairy tales

I copy and paste kid texts into Wordle to create a cloud of words on that topic. Often, I simply take a screen shot of the Wordle , but always link to their site as source.

Here is a sample Wordle of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem Song of Nature from Poets.org.


A Wordle on Rumpelstiltskin:




Any of your vocabulary or spelling lists would also work. Here are some lists resources

http://dictionary-thesaurus.com/Wordlists.html
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmsv/
Spelling City Word Lists

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Power Point Directions, Lists, Samples:

Power Writing for Fluency from Sheri Edwards

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Other content area teachers have commented, "I don't know what you're doing in writing class, but the kids can sure start writing ideas now." So, start Power Writing in your class to help your students move from ideas to words.

Poetry Self-Portraits

Purpose

Create an artistic impression of youself through art, essay and poetry. Follow these directions for your draft. Then create a "W8 2009 Code" Page to type up your list and begin your drafts and revisions.

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Idea Lists

Create lists of at least ten items to finish each of the following:

I like:

I am:

Of the eagle traits, I am __________ because__________ (See bottom of page; choose at least two)

Animals I am like are (at least three):

________ because ______

________ because ______

________ because ______

Ten years into the future, I will:

Image (Square)/Symbol

Read over all your lists. Try to think of images that represent you, your traits, your likes, the animals you associate with, etc. Use those images to create a square symbol that represents you as a whole person. Use large pictures and color.

Example:

Poem

Write a descriptive poem that expresses each of your traits represented in you symbols. Explain each image with examples and each major color as a symbol of one of your traits.

Hints:

Start out with the question: Who am I?

Then describe yourself using your images as examples.

The beginning to the example symbol might be:

Who am I?

I am a cat wrapped in a circle sitting in the sun napping for the afternoon. I show the pleasant and friendly things in life.

I am spicy pepperoni, sizzling in your mouth bursting with flavor like an enthusiastic cheerleader cheering for our team.

I am the blue sky providing sunlight and power, just as I provide kindness and help to my family. I help them like a wolf pack protects and provides for each other.

I am clicking keys, tapping my creative thoughts on the screen as I transform ideas into prose or poetry about the laughter of several grandkids chattering over their imaginary and evolving games in the shade of the sycamore in the backyard.

I am floating in the shade on the boat on a hot afternoon reading or ambling with Pooka on the grassy path near the calm lake listening to the sounds of seasonal birds just before gently swinging on the bench swing with grandkids by my side, relaxing after a fun day of togetherness.

Essay

Write an engaging explanation of your symbol using as many of the list ideas as you can. Each list could be a paragraph, ending with your future goals.

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Wordle

Copy and paste your lists from your "W8 2009 Code" page into the site at:

http://www.wordle.net/create

to create a Wordle about you. Take a screen shot of it (ask how). We'll add it to your site with proper citation. If you write your name five times in the list, your name will show up largest.

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Sample Lists and Wordle:

I like:

• floating in the shade on the boat on a hot afternoon reading
• ambling with Pooka on the grassy path near the calm lake listening to the sounds of seasonal birds
• listening to the laughter of several grandkids chattering over their imaginary and evolving games in the shade of the sycamore in the backyard
• hearing the click of keys tapping my creative thoughts on the screen as I transform ideas into prose or poetry
• gently swinging on the bench swing with grandkids by my side, relaxing after a fun day of togetherness
• transforming images of friends and family into a visual story through digital iMovies
• observing the "aha!" of students whose minds marvelously pop with a sudden understanding of a concept
• listening to the soft purr of my cat trusting his world to me
• melting flavor of dark chocolate slowly dissolving into a silky sliver in my mouth
• engaging dialogue on substantial topics with always sensitive and insightful Scott

I am

• diligent
• creative
• focused
• serious
• productive
• pleasant
• geeky
• inventive
• stubborn
• thoughtful

EAGLE Traits

I show the EAGLE trait of effort when I write carefully and personally tuned lessons for my students.

I display acceptance when I acknowledge the differing needs and personalities of students.

I live enthusiasm when I stand in front of dull eyes and turn them into sparkles with words and ideas.

I exhibit generosity in spirit when I offer alternative assignments for students.

I demonstrate loyalty by teaching at Nespelem School for twenty-four years.

I model self-respect when I get my work done.

Animals I am like include

• cougars for their independent striving for survival
• wolf to help my family like a pack protects and provides for each other
• cat who likes nothing better than a nap in the sunshine

In the future ten years from now, I will

• be volunteering to help in schools with computer projects
• be helping grandkids with projects
• hiking with Scott behind city hall
• sharing conversations with family and friends
• be writing a book about thinking

Wordle

http://www.wordle.net/create

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EAGLE Traits