Writing in the Air

As I mentioned in my previous post, the smallest of noticings can sprout big ideas.  Trying to capture these minute moments and allow them to grow into expressions of thoughtful reflection takes practice.  Children can be taught to write in the air; expressing themselves orally, to a listener, in the same manner in which they would write a thought down.  But instead of talking about writing, the words are the writing itself…just floating through the air on the voice of the author.

Watching children do this is mesmerizing.  Some do not ‘get it’ at first; they keep on interrupting themselves with asides about why they would say something, or what made them remember an event.  Others may stray into the personal narrative, unveiling a story with animated dialogue and amazingly detailed characters. 

For those children who understand the difference between narrative and personal essay, a wonderful flow of thought and contemplation on assorted ideas fill the classroom air. 

I spent a lot of time today demonstrating this technique.  I was amazed at how many ideas sprang from the things I noticed around the classroom.  I spotted blue sky between fluffy clouds…this led me to think about the possibility of the snow finally coming to an end and warmer weather emerging from the now dull, grey sludge. 

I must have written in the air for about five minutes on this topic…too long for a classroom demonstration…but long enough for all my avid listeners to realize just how much I needed spring to come.