by Sharon Watson | Mar 1, 2014 | Middle School Prompts, Sharon's Blog, Writing Prompts
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
So you’re out walking your dog one day, and you look down and see a rusty can partially buried under an old tree you’ve walked by hundreds of times. “Hmmm,” you say. “What’s up with that?”
When you investigate, you find not one but eight rusted cans filled with mint-condition coins from 1847-1894, neatly piled in each can according to their dates. Turns out, even though the coins themselves are only worth about $28,000, the value of the coins today is over $10 million. Eureka!
This scenario is exactly what happened to (more…)
by Sharon Watson | Feb 24, 2014 | Middle School Prompts, Sharon's Blog, Writing Prompts
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
A garbage bag that deters rats? A taco with the spices on the outside? Luggage you can ride on?
It seems we humans have a great amount of imagination when it comes to cooking up new products. But are those real or just someone’s dream? (more…)
by Sharon Watson | Feb 16, 2014 | Middle School Prompts, Sharon's Blog, Writing Prompts
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
You have friends. What did you do to make them? You are a friend, but how did you become one?
Have you ever thought of how to make friends? It is as simple as smiling when someone is sad, giving a genuine compliment, or being a good listener?
Or making a friend could be a process with many steps, beginning with step one and ending with step five (or as many steps as you like).
(more…)
by Sharon Watson | Feb 4, 2014 | High School Prompts, High School Tutorial, Middle School Prompts, Middle School Tutorial, Sharon's Blog, teaching aids, tutorial, Writing Prompts
SHARON’S BLOG
My husband Terry gave me the idea for this writing prompt though he didn’t know it at the time.
A love of lists
Last summer we drove to our local grocery store, and as Terry pulled into a spot, he said, “I like to park here because . . . ,” and he listed four reasons why he likes to park in that particular place. Now that you know how exciting our lives are, you’ll be happy to know that his love of lists surfaced yet again—at the ball park.
We were watching the Indianapolis Indians play the Rochester Redwings when one of the Indians smacked a ball and headed toward first. Terry leaned over to me and said, “There are nine ways to get to first safely.” Or was it seven?
Terry was halfway to writing an enumerative essay because he began with a number (four or nine) and had a secure idea of a list. (more…)
by Sharon Watson | Feb 1, 2014 | Middle School Prompts, Sharon's Blog, Writing Prompts
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
Heifers. Cowpokes. Cottonwoods. Hullabaloo.
What do these words have in common? Well, if you were a cowboy poet, you would know!
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is held in Elko, Nevada, each year. Singers and poets compete, attend workshops, and dance. Watch Randy Rieman recite his humorous poem about being “throwed” from a bronco here. (more…)
by Sharon Watson | Jan 22, 2014 | Middle School Prompts, Sharon's Blog, Writing Prompts
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS
Gardeners love to receive their new seed catalogs in the middle of winter. It gives them something to dream about and plan for. Not only are the photos of flowers and vegetables beautiful and inspiring but their descriptions are as well.
Here’s the description of the Erewhon Sweet Pea from a Burpee catalog: (more…)
