Generating Ideas

What?
One of the hardest things for writers is to generate their ideas. Often this is the part of the writing process that takes the longest or is the most stressful. Students sit thinking about what they can write about - get frustrated when they can't think of anything - and more importantly don't write.


So what?
Students needs to get on with writing as soon as possible. We don't have bundles of time in Y8 so when we have time to write we need to use that time. It is important students settle on a topic as soon as possible so they can make the most of their time. This topic MUST be something that motivates them to write. No one wants to write about something that does not motivate them so this is a huge focus for the year.

Having caught up with Lisa Smith she has shared some 'strategies' we can use to generate ideas. We give the the strategy/prompt and then they write a bunch of different ideas in their book. Over time we just keep building on these ideas giving the students multiple ideas to pick from when it comes to writing. When it comes to writing students can turn to their ideas and select one that will help motivate them to write.

Now what?
In class I am going to spend time generating ideas as I need them to write - and not sit and think about what to write about. There was some mention of a 'Writer's Notebook'. This could be something that interests me as my inquiry - and how this helps motivate students or what effect it might have on their writing.