The following is from 6th grade teachers at Maplewood Middle School.
What is a writing marathon? Our 6th grade MMS students recently had the opportunity to go on one around the school grounds. It is an opportunity to walk and observe our surroundings for an extended period of time. It is an opportunity to push and extend the amount of time students are actually engaged in writing just as if we were pushing ourselves to go that extra mile in a race. Students are most motivated to write by their peers and their environment. What better way to get them excited about trying on new skills then by observing the beautiful surroundings in our town of Maplewood!
We have been pushing our students to utilize their senses to describe objects, people, and places when drafting their personal narratives. We want them to not just tell us “there is a tree,” we want them to observe and use language that will show us what is going on with that tree. We want our writers to learn that they are artists with words.
In order to scaffold this process, we included a list of vocabulary words that would appeal to all of the senses on a handout that traveled with them on this walk. It was a portable dictionary that would help them to delve deeper into a more descriptive writing experience. Many students enjoyed adding many of the vivid “-ing” verbs and colorful adjectives to describe their surroundings. Many students tried out using personification to bring human-like qualities to their objects and make them come to life.
This walk not only created a culture of collaboration and sharing among the students but also provoked us to look at some of the history behind MMS. Many students were asking some inquisitive questions about the bell tower that sits upon our building. Other students remarked at how our sign on the front of the building says, “Maplewood Junior High.” There is no greater way to spend a wonderful fall afternoon than working and learning together outside in our courtyard. Students enjoyed describing a swarm of bumble bees by a lilac bush while others ran their hands over the coarse trunk of a tree that resembled elephants legs.
We hope you enjoy looking at some of the photos from our marathon and we encourage you to get outdoors with a pencil and a journal and jot down some of the observation in your own backyard. Happy Writing!
Debra Silva, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Arielle Wegbreit
