Mixed feelings

To begin, I'd like to say that I have mixed feelings about Unjournaling, specifically as it relates to getting writers of various abilities involved in the writing process. For struggling writers, I think it can be good, because it seems to minimize some of the impending pressure or frustration that they might feel when it comes to searching out a topic. But, for writers who enjoy the writing process -- and I am one of these -- I feel that it can also be somewhat limiting, because it places parameters on the writing process. I dealt with those when I worked for the newspaper, and I can honestly say that all that constraint eventually killed my motivation to write. It's only been since I returned to school that much of that creativity and passion has been reawakened (is that a word?). Anyway, I guess you guys get the idea that I am driving at.

Also, I find myself wondering when these prompts should be used. Possibly everyday? Or, maybe once in awhile? I don't know. What I can say is that I found the funnier ones to be the best, but maybe that's just because I generally enjoy humor, and I often try to infuse it into my writing. I like the fact that the prompts deal with commonalities, but again, I worry that some writers might be turned off by this approach because it places limitations of them. Although, I do feel that good, solid writers will find a way to make the writing their own -- to make it personal in whatever way -- regardless of this fact.

I would like to use some of this stuff in my own classroom next year (again, assuming that I can dupe some unknowing school district into adding me onto their payroll). I think that kids might like this stuff, mostly because it doesn't require them to come up with their own ideas. And, it can be fun.

Also, I do recommend that we, as teachers, write along with our students as they do their work. Later, in class, you might notice that I am writing along with you all during our group presentation.

So get your pencils sharpened, your thinking-caps on, and be ready to write when you step into the classroom later today. If you will, help me to prove that writing can, in fact, be fun, despite some of the limitations that the use of the Unjournaling method can, potentially, place on a seasoned writer. See you then.