Wednesday, December 31, 2014

January Writing Prompts

Happy New Year's Eve!  It's a little sad that 2014 is coming to an end, but it's fun to look forward to the year ahead.  I just know 2015 is going to be a great year for writing!  So, sharpen up your pencils, thaw out your mind, and get writing!
 
Writing Genre
Suggested Writing Prompt
Letter
Write a letter to…
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
-An Eskimo
-A famous leader/scientist/explorer (living or  dead)
Persuasive
Is Global Warming good or bad?
 
Who was the best former president of America? 
 
Why should we preserve the polar bears’ habitat?  What steps can we take to make this happen?
Personal
Write about a day you went snowboarding/skiing/playing in the snow 
 
What do you like to do when it is really cold outside? 
 
What are your New Year resolutions?
Imaginative
Write about a time that a snowman came alive
 
There was a penguin in my bath tub!
Clarification
How to build a snowman/igloo/snowball machine 
Research the polar climates (Antarctica, Alaska, Canada, etc.)

Friday, November 21, 2014

December Writing Prompts

Can you believe that December is coming soon!?  Chilly days and nights are perfect for cozying up with a great story!  So...get the hot chocolate, and the great writing, flowing!  Remember...you are encouraged to write about ANYTHING!  These are just some ideas to get you started.
 
Writing Genre
Suggested Writing Prompt
Letter
Write a friendly letter to Santa
Persuasive
I would make a good elf because…
 
I should get ____ for Christmas because…
Personal
The best present I ever received was…
 
The best present I ever gave someone was…
 
*Think about the gifts you’ve given or received that weren’t tangible.*
Imaginative
The time I went on a ride-along with Santa
 
My day at the North Pole
Clarification
Write a favorite holiday recipe
 
How to decorate a Christmas tree

Friday, October 31, 2014

Guidelines for Submissions and Comments

We welcome students, teachers, parents, and community members to submit original works of writing.  These submissions may be sent to swansboroteach@gmail.com and must follow the submission guidelines below.  After they are submitted and reviewed, the writings will be posted by the webmasters of this blog.
  • ORIGINAL work only
  • Microsoft Word document
  • Two pages or less, single spaced
  • 12 pt Times New Roman font
  • Clipart is optional
  • Your story needs to include:
    • A title
    • Your name
    • Your school (for students, teachers, and parents)
    • Your grade (for students and teachers)
  • Send as an e-mail attachment to swansboroteach@gmail.com.
We encourage POSITIVE comments on writings you enjoy.  All comments will be moderated to ensure proper commenting etiquette.  Inappropriate comments WILL NOT be posted.

Example Story: Into the Dark


Here is a sample story, and an example of acceptable comments.        

            Last Halloween, my family and I decided to forgo the typical Trick or Treating around the neighborhood, and instead, go to the Fear Factory in Morehead City.  I had heard lots of things from friends about how scary an experience it was for all of them, but I had figured that they were all just a bunch of scaredy cats.  After all, how scary could a place be that is coated in fake spider webs, with fake figures perched all around?
          
That night, we set off for our half hour trip at 8:30 sharp, each of us eager for this ghoulish experience.   We had dressed in regular clothes, but we all brought an extra jacket because fall had come early that year, and there was a good chance that frost would settle on the ground before we purchased our tickets and entered the building.
          
A half hour ride later, we stood in line and awaited our turn.  At first, I was excited to show everyone that I was not easily scared and this nonsense had no chance of making me scream with fear….but the longer we stood, my face turned from stoic to stone cold fear.
         
The echoes of noises that emanated from the old house made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.  Each echoed moan and shrill scream was captured by my ears.  My heart rate climbed as I saw the ghost-like faces of the people exiting the building from their turn inside. I expected that when people exited they would be laughing and sharing their experience.  Instead, their blood-drained faces remained silent as they walked on unsteady legs toward their cars.
         
My feet were firmly planted and unwilling to move forward.  My brain kept sending me signals to flee, run…hide…before it is too late! My blood turned to ice as I neared the front of the line. And all too soon, I was “next”.   As I opened the door, I saw that there was no light to guide my way inside.  I looked back at the line of people still waiting their turn.  I think I wanted them to remember my face, in case I did not return. Taking a deep breath, I walked past the line of light and into the dark unknown of the Fear Factory.

November Writing Prompts

Here are some suggested writing prompts for each genre of writing.  Feel free to use these, or be creative and come up with your own!  The possibilities are endless!

 

Writing Genre
Suggested Writing Prompt
Letter
Write a friendly letter to thank the Pilgrims and Native Americans for inviting you to the first Thanksgiving.
Persuasive
The best former president was ____ because… 
I would make a great president because…
Why should/shouldn’t we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?
Personal
Write from the point of view of a turkey at Thanksgiving.
Imaginative
Imagine that Chief ____ shows up at your house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Tell what happens.
Clarification
Tell about three things we wouldn’t see/eat at the first Thanksgiving that we see/eat now.