by Gabe Willows

Created on: March 28, 2008

Creative writing in the elementary grades can often become boring and sometimes discouraging. Oh no, we have to write a story and I don't know what to write about.' Teachers all over the country are faced with these words every time they assign a creative writing piece. The secret is to have the children use their imagination by relating to something they are already familiar with.

Children are infiltrated by television programs and on going sagas that revolve around creatures with unusual powers and the most complicated names in the world. Many children don't realize that someone actually sat down and came up with the idea for their favorite television character and wrote a story about it. Now the next step is jump-starting the imagination and encouraging good sound writing skills.

This is a great idea that helps students along. It is fun and interactive and relates to what children know. This assignment is called the Create Your Own Super Hero' project:

Each student is asked to draw their make-believe super hero character. A big piece of blank paper and crayons will help them become motivated to draw their character.

Next have them write down what their special powers are, describe their costume and slogan or super hero saying'.

Now the teacher must come up with the arch villain. Here's an example of a good villain; the evil trash monger who has the ability to spread garbage all over parks and streets.

Have the children break out in groups and tell them that their mission is to write down in a story, how their super hero's, using their super powers, worked together to save the city against the villain. When the chatter increases and you see them acting out the different rolls, you know that the creative juices are flowing.

Have them write their stories in a rough draft and then copy it out on flip-chart paper decorated with pictures of their super hero team.

Finally, have the children present their stories to the rest of the class.

Not only does this fun writing project ring closely to what the children are being exposed to on television, but it promotes teamwork in a way that they are accustom to playing together. Another benefit is that it helps the children realize that what they are seeing on television is something someone else made up. Children have great imaginations and all it takes is a little inspiration and their ready to create. This strategy can be applied to other topics such as: Create Your Own Creature, Create Your Own World; the topics are endless if you use your imagination.

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