I have to admit that I’ve never understood most elementary teachers’ infatuation with “writing prompts.” I’m talking about stuff like this and this and this. (For those of you who can’t be bothered to click those links, they are lists of random topics like “What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted? When would you use this ability?” and “What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs?”)
That stuff is worthless. Do YOU write like that as an adult?
When most adults write, they write things like lists, directions, emails to family members, friends, and colleagues, thank-you notes, letters to the editor, letters of recommendation, business proposals, and personal journal entries. The vast majority of adult writing is concise, for a specific purpose, and is intended for a specific audience (even if that audience is the writer herself).
So why do we ask our children to write pointless pieces that no one would actually care to read?
This week I asked my students to write something poignant (not scripted) to their moms for Mother’s Day, something for our high school teacher aide that was graduating, and something for a U.S. soldier serving overseas (through amillionthanks.org, which I highly recommend). The students also took notes and wrote about the specific math, science, and social studies topics they were learning about in class. Every bit of writing had a purpose and was for a specific audience.
Most of us have learned to use real, rich literature instead of basals when helping children learn to read; now it’s time for us to abandon phony writing prompts as we help our students learn to write.
Posted by mpullen 
