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Sensory Detail Walkabout

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-Spark-

La Primavera

Pablo Neruda


El pájaro ha venido a dar la luz: de cada trino suyo nace el agua.

Y entre agua y luz que el aire desarrollan ya está la primavera inaugurada, ya sabe la semilla que ha crecido, la raíz se retrata en la corola, se abren por fin los párpados del polen.

Todo lo hizo un pájaro sencillo desde una rama verde.

The Spring

The bird has come to give us light: from each of its trills water is born.

Between water and light, air unfolds. Now the spring’s inaugurated. The seed knows that it has grown the root pictures the flower and the pollen’s eyelids finally open.

All this done by a simple bird on a green branch.

-Prompt-

Take 5-10 minutes to walk around outside. Take notes on everything you see, smell, touch, and hear. Do you smell fresh grass, or wet dirt, or maybe the rose bush nearby? Do you hear birds chirping, kids playing, or maybe even a car zooming by? What colors, textures, and shapes do you note?

Once you’ve gathered your notes, write a poem or story about your experience.

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The Sentence Thief

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-Spark-

I Opened a Book

Julia Donaldson

I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.”

-Prompt-

Give students 1-2 minutes to select a book at random in the room (there must be text in this book). Once they have chosen their book, have students either

A) Open the book up at random, somewhere in the middle               

OR

B) Open it to the first sentence in the book (which is often amongst the strongest sentences in the book).

Allow students to use this sentence as their prompt. Allow writers to incorporate the sentence into their work; utilize only a phrase, word, or theme from the sentence; or maybe they write what happens next.

“I’m more than...”

- PROMPT -

Think about the assumptions that have been made about you. This could be based on your race, religion, gender, your outward appearance, or your association with a certain club, sport, or group. Think about all the labels that people might place on you based on assumptions. This prompt allows you to express how you’re more than the stereotypes that people box you into. Start your piece with the phrase “I’m more than...” and see where it takes you.

A Time I was Underestimated

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” – Michelle Obama

- PROMPT -

Write about a time you were underestimated. Why do you think that person (or people) had that impression of you? How did it affect you? Did you get motivated by it or did it put you in a slump?

Alternatively: Write about a time you underestimated someone and they surprised you. How did this affect your relationship?

I’m Tired of Being Told

- PROMPT -

“You’ll give boys the wrong impression if you wear a tank top.” “You won’t make any friends if you don’t participate.” “If you’d run a little faster, you could have scored that goal.” “Are you really going to eat all of that?”

What are the things you, or your character, are tired of being told? Make a list. Begin with the phrase, “I’m tired of being told...” Think of who said those things and now looking back on it, tell ‘em how you really feel. You can change the pronoun from me to he, she, or they.

Recipe for Friendship

- PROMPT -

Friends are awesome! But what makes a good friend? Is it kindness? Do they make you laugh? Are they there for you when you are feeling down? Write a recipe for friendship. Include all the ingredients (and measurements!) that you’ll need and write some clear instructions for how you make a good friend. Be as creative as you like.

- EXAMPLE -

Ingredients:

A pinch of happiness

1 cup of trust

¾ cup of laughter

2 cups of understanding

1 tablespoon of forgiveness

Mix happiness, trust, and laughter into a large bowl. Sift understanding and mix well, until all lumps have evened. Add forgiveness until blended well. Bake with love in the oven for 45 minutes. Let cool and enjoy with a large cup of coffee.

Thank You Letter to Essential Workers

- PROMPT -

Letter writing has been around for centuries, and letters were even delivered by way of pony across the country. Now we have much more expedited processes, but nothing takes away how special it is to receive a letter from someone! Write a letter to the essential worker of your choice that has made an impact on your life. Has your gratitude for a specific worker grown during this period of shelter-in-place? What do you most appreciate or value from this person? Let them know about the impact they have on your life. If you are able to, deliver this letter to the person!


Here are some examples of who to write letters to:

  • Postal worker

  • Hospital Worker

  • Grocery store clerk

  • Food delivery person

  • Teacher

  • Local businesses

  • Internet provider

  • Tutor

  • Babysitter

 
Here’s a basic format you can use as an example:
 
Dear ____________,
 
My name is __________ and I am ____ years old. I am writing to you to thank you for your dedication to serving your community. I wanted to let you know that I see you and value how hard you work. Without you, _________________ could not happen.
 
Thanks again! Be well,
 
___NAME HERE_______

Where I Come From

- SPARK -

I Am From…

Cali Amador

I am from Morelos, Jalisco, México--a place where Wi-Fi is not needed, where street dogs run wild snapping at some of my carne asada. A place where scorpions run on the walls trying to sting you. A place where fireworks light up the night with all different kinds of colors, where little kids roam the streets biting on some pan dulce, where my life began as a tiny child trying to get a coconut to fall from the trees.

The place where my grandma makes the best pozole verde for my birthday. Where I grew up tasting frijoles de la hoya, growing up catching chickens only to find out they would become my dinner. The place where my father told me the ocean water was sweet as candy, where I figured out it was as salty as a bowl of salt. And, where a stray dog once stole my taco.

Mexico, the place I thought I would never leave because my father said that we had it all as we left for the so-called “America,” where my family would earn a lot of money. Where I met my best friend who is obsessed with pandas, where Wi-Fi is everywhere, where pesos are nothing here.

I am from two places: Mexico, where my life started, and America, where my life continues. The Mexican ways will never leave my heart, no matter where I am. Even though I have brown skin, it doesn’t mean that I don’t belong here either, no matter where I am and no matter where I live. I am proud to say that I am Mexican-American.

- PROMPT -

Where I come from:

Think about your home and your neighborhood. Write about what it’s like living in your house or on your street. Go into detail about your day-to-day routines at home or how it might be different on special occasions.

My community:

Walk around the building to really explore the community around you. Use all five senses as they wander the grounds.

My family:

Family plays a big part of where we come from. Write about your family. Explore what role you play in the family: are you the oldest? Youngest? Middle child? Only child? Who are some of the other characters you have in your family?

Fruit Metaphors and Similes

- PROMPT -

Step 1: Closely observe/experience a piece of fruit and describe it physically using all five senses.

Step 2: List everything you associate with this fruit. Don’t spend time thinking about it, just free associate. Don’t worry if it doesn’t make sense, but keep coming back to your memory of the fruit.

Step 3: Answer the following questions to create metaphors or similes (this is also free-association, or brain-storming, so don’t worry if it doesn’t make logical sense):

· How does the smell move inside your nose?

· If the smell was an animal, what kind of animal would it be?

· How does the taste move inside your mouth?

· If the taste were a place, what place would it be?

· What emotion is the color of the fruit, or its taste or texture?

· If it was a building, what kind of building would it be?

· What kind of weather would it be?

· What musical instrument? What item of clothing or jewelry?

· Any other question that occurs to you!

Step 4: Look at your lists. Which metaphors/similes do you love? Write a paragraph, or three, or a poem or story using the sensory information and associations you’ve gathered.

Personify Poetry

- PROMPT -

Step 1: Make a list of words or phrases you would use to describe the idea of poetry. What comes to mind when you think of poetry? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Use your five senses to help.

Poetry looks like...

Poetry sounds like...

Poetry smells like...

Poetry feels like...

Poetry tastes like...

Step 2: From your list, use the words or phrases that inspire you the most to form a poem. Include sensory-detailed descriptions to truly encapsulate the feeling of poetry.

Alternatively, use the format above to personify the idea of music.

Parallel World (Based on Coraline)

- SPARK -


- PROMPT -

While poking around your house or school, you discover a door that leads to an almost identical building—a parallel world where everyone and everything matches the place you came from. As you explore the new world, however, you realize that things are different somehow.

Maybe this world represents a different timeline of your life, like if you hadn’t missed the bust two days ago. Maybe everything is the exact same in this world—except everyone has hands instead of feet. Maybe, in this world, there’s no sun...or maybe there are five.

Describe what world you discover through this door. What is different from the place you came from, and what’s stayed the same? Is it better or worse? Do you want to stay in this world? If you return to your original place, will your view of the world change?

Poem about Warmth

- Prompt -

Warmth can mean many things: the sun beaming on your face on a warm day, the warmth from hot chocolate or coffee in the morning, snuggles from your favorite four-legged friend, or even the warmth that you feel when a loved one says they love you.

Write a poem about what warmth mean to you. Where do you find warmth? You may take this literally, figuratively, emotionally, physically...

Alternatively: Write about the cold.