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How
is a writer like a sculptor?
This was the question students pondered using their
sculptures as a metaphor for the process writers go through
to produce a final piece. Students SLOWLY kneaded the dough; a writer must know the
material before using it in a final piece. Then they took a
few minutes to play with their clay; a writer plays with
words like a sculptor kneads clay. Students were told that
they were creating something for their peers, teachers and
parents to see, after all knowing your audience can
affect what you create. Just as a writer cannot begin
to write until she knows what her purpose is, students were
told that their purpose was to create a pencil holder
-- something that would hold a pencil on their desks.
Students
created their pencil holder, squashed it and recreated it
three times. It was frustrating but these "first
drafts" allowed their creative side time to try out new
ideas before choosing the best one for their "final draft."
Finally writers need to know how their audience will respond
so students took time to confer with a peer and then
examined their pencil holder from many perspectives.
When
students reached the editing point (the detail work) they
were able to trade a little Playdough with a friend to add
the finishing touches. They realized that these final
touches might make their creations look better but if it
didn't hold together the flourishes were unnecessary.
Finally we took a gallery walk to admire each other's work.
A
writer, like a sculptor, goes through a process involving
many changes which leads to a final product. Enjoy! |
