Celeste Creates

Sometimes I assign a writing project for Jacob (poem, story, facts for a lapbook). When he has to type facts or copy things on the computer, he does fine. Often times a creative writing project gets lots of complaints.

"I can't think of anything."

"I don't know what to write next."

Those are not fun assignments for either of us. So today Jacob came to me on his own and asked to type a story. I practically ran to the computer and got the word processor going. He had an idea. He was motivated. And the result? Absolutely wonderful, priceless, creative, thoughtful and even really well done grammatically. I love it!

This is Jacob's first draft. We corrected it and printed it out.

When the time of the bears coms.

When the time of the bears coms you will see all the anumols runing away afraid of being eaten.
When the time of the bears coms you will hear the big stomps of the bears and you must run away for they might eat you up.
When the time of the bears coms you will feel the breth of the bears and run.
When the time of the bears coms you will smell the bears and you will not like it.
When the time of the bears coms you will taste the bears meat and you will love it. The end.


I guess this is a perfect example of child-led learning. And I really like it. But I don't think it works for everything. If I sat around and waited for Jacob to be inspired to do his handwriting, we'd be in trouble. And I believe some writing projects must be assigned. But I do believe in capitalizing on the moments like these. If you were here, you would have heard lots of praise and compliments. Well deserved.

Happy Monday!