Engaging middle school students in the creative writing process can be a challenge. Often, emphasis is placed on non fiction and essay writing skills. Because of this, creative writing is often pushed to the wayside. However, providing students opportunities to practice creative writing strategies is crucially important.
In Writing: Teachers and Children at Work, Donald H. Graves states “Children want to write. They want to write the first day they attend school. This is no accident. Before they went to school, they marked up walls, pavements, and newspapers with crayons, chalk, pens, or pencils… anything that makes a mark. The child’s mark says ‘I am’.” It is incredibly important to provide students opportunities to have their voices heard. Students need the chance to make their mark on the world through flexing their creative muscles.
What are the benefits of incorporating creative writing strategies into my ELA block?
As teachers, we know that most of the children we teach enter the school system with a natural interest in writing. Because of this, we need to remember that the desire to express themselves with words does not disappear as students grow older. Sadly, this joy can be stifled when writing is made into a process that only focuses on prescribed topics and grammatical perfection. The incorporation of flexible creative writing strategies allows students to break through barriers of writing that are structured and formulaic, providing extensive and important benefits.
Creative Expression Builds Empathy and Helps Students Navigate their Emotions.
As students work through the creative writing process, they are required to use their imaginations to develop new characters and points of view. Students must put themselves in the shoes of their characters, live their experiences, and feel their feelings. As they explore these new motivations and emotions, important empathy skills are learned. These skills help them express their own feelings and understand the feelings of others.
Creative Writing Builds Confidence
Creative writing allows students to develop their own voices. Instead of being bogged down by proper punctuation and topic sentences, students are free to write for the sheer joy of writing. Without strict topic guidelines, students are able to write about things related to their own interests and on topics they find personally meaningful. As a result, students are able to discover their own unique voices that are powerful and worth listening to. This leads to the development of students who are more willing to confidently express themselves.
Writing in Creative Ways Builds Overall Writing Skills
Through writing creatively, students learn to clarify their thoughts, practice vocabulary in context, and incorporate key elements of grammar. Creative writing allows students to practice these skills in ways that are low pressure and engaging. As a result, these new found skills spill over into all aspects of their writing.
Creative Writing Encourages Imaginative Thinking
We live in a fast moving world. The ability to come up with creative solutions to common problems in fundamental and highly valued. Through creative writing, students are encouraged to “think outside the box” as they develop new characters, settings, problems, and solutions. Thinking creatively through writing allows students to practice key skills that will benefit them outside of the ELA classroom. Students learn to push creative boundaries, look at issues from different angles, and brainstorm alternative solutions. Consequently, students are ready and equipped to tackle the tough problems presented in our world today.
Is Creative Writing something that you incorporate into your ELA curriculum? Let us know in the comments below or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more fun ideas!
Looking for some ways to practice these key skills with your learners?
Check out this fun creative writing activity in my TPT shop – it contains detailed notes on literary elements, planning pages, writing templates, story cards, and more! Grab a copy by clicking here or on the image below.
Looking for more posts about writing in the ELA classroom?
Check out these great previous posts below!
Simple Gratitude Activities for Middle and High School Students
How to Teach Comparative Essay Writing in ELA
Writer’s Workshop Improves Student Writing
Using Picture Books to Teach Writing
