Monday, February 8, 2016

Twisted Compositions

After the days out of school due to the snow storm started to run together, I decided the boys needed some structure before their brain cells all dissolved and slipped away into oblivion.  They began doing worksheets in math and reading, and I came up with a few special projects. 

One day, I told them they all had to write compositions.  But these weren't just any compositions.  They had to write an original scary story.  With pictures!  And that evening, the grand finale would be getting to read them to their dad and I with the lights out, by camping lantern.  You wouldn't believe how excited three little boys were about this special treat.

They worked very diligently on their scary stories.  Cort wrote about a zombie goldfish.  Reid wrote about a werewolf called Reid.  And Pierce wrote about an evil chatbot.


True to form, they read their stories to us that evening, by camping lantern.  We all shivered with delight and applauded.  See, busywork really can be fun!

21 comments:

The Cranky said...

I would have loved to have a teacher like you; or to have had one for my daughter.

Steve Surratt said...

What a great memory for them and perhaps they'll pass it down to their children.

Out on the prairie said...

What a great idea, My mother always had a rainy day box of goodies she would get out when we were stuck in the house for long.

Jenn Jilks said...

I just loved teaching creative writing!
We also created superheroes using Powerpoint! That was fun.

Sally said...

How fun, and exciting for them. I love that Reid wrote about Reid! That was a great idea, and I imagine they will be delighted for a repeat. :)

xoxo

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

How fun!! Be sure to keep those stories. I still have some that I wrote at that age. Your boys have great imaginations. Who would have thought there were zombie goldfish???? :-)

Marie said...

so fun and productive!

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

I love this! You are a fun mom!

Texan said...

And another wonder memory for you and the boys! Plus you kept their brain cells from dissolving! WTG Mom. :O)

Michelle said...

What a creative activity for your boys!

DMS said...

What an awesome idea! Sounds like it was fun for the whole family. :) Love it! :)
~Jess

Lin said...

Good idea! Sounds like a fun night.

Linda said...

What a great project! And I love what they came up with!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

How fun!!
That is amazing,! And each really wrote a story? Oh it would be fun to hear the storys!
love
tweedles

mail4rosey said...

Learning while having fun is the best kind of learning. :)

Bas. said...

mooi zo in de schemer

Unknown said...

That was a great idea to engage the boys with a structured project, but also with a fun sense of adventure. I liked your idea about the lighting, and the applause had to give the kids the biggest thrill for a job well done! ;)

Harry Flashman said...

I don't know what a chatbot is but it sounds evil.

That would have been fun for the whole family. Good idea, mom.

Lynn said...

fabulous photo and idea!! I do not know what a chatbot is so shall be learning something new in a few second 'google' :-).

An Apel a Day said...

How fun! I should try this with my kids.

The week our kids had 2 days off they were stir crazy on that following Saturday. Travis took them out for a walk. When they came back he said, "Ok now write something that happened on our walk that is made up." Isaak loved the assignment. Mica rushed through it a little more, but still came up with something creative.

Eat To Live said...

What a fun idea. I bet they really had a good time doing this