While surfing the net one day, I came across a very interesting site called http://www.oneword.com

It offers a word a day for a one-minute quick write online. There is a built-in timer that tells you when your one minute is up. However, I have started using it as a 10-minute writing exercise for my grade 6 and 7 students, and I have been writing right along with them. Sometimes I will give them a bit of guidance and sometimes I will simply post the word for them to explore through writing. For example, the other day I suggested they think of our conversations on metaphor to see if they could approach the word of the day as a metaphor. On another day, I suggested they think of personal narrative as they wrote. Most of the time, however, I simply let them write.

Once a week, I will start posting my own selected one-word-ten-minute writing exercises here. Would love comments on these pieces. Thank you!

One word for March 16th, 2015 – Grandfather

I miss my grandfather.

Not my paternal grandfather but my mother’s father. He has been gone for 48 years now and I still miss him.

When I was younger I used to think that he was in heaven watching over me. It has been a long time since I’ve thought about that. Is it because so many things have happened where I felt less than protected? Lonely?

Like right now.

I am in despair. I spent almost all day yesterday planning my classes and it feels like nothing is going well.

Is it the energy in the room?

I need to open the shades, turn off the lights, and open the door.

For some reason, these 10-minute writing exercises on a random word facilitate the development of important ideas regardless of the word that triggers the writing. In 10 minutes I can discover a nagging idea, take action, find solace, and uncover thoughts that have been lying dormant. Love this!