Creative Writing Websites
1.
Six
Words
http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
Writing can be intimidating for some students. On this webpage, students are challenged to
share “their story” using only six words.
There are a number of categories: Life, Love, Dads, Teens, Jewish,
Questions, Happiness, Resulotions, Planet, Work, Moms, Food, America, Digital
Life, TWLOHA, and War. Students can
submit their assignments to the webpage, but it would also be a great
assignment for students represent visually, as well. For some ideas on representing your “six
words” visually, watch this video of students in Charleston, SC. Click ME!
Age Group: High School (This would still be a good activity
for elementary or middle school students, but the actually website has some
content that isn’t appropriate for young learners.)
Short Stories
2.
Storymatic
Essentially, this “game” is meant to help students develop
their creativity. They draw a total of
four cards, and use the information on those cards to develop their story (or poems,
songs, plays, videos). Storymatic could
be used as a collaborative process, or students can use it individually. I’ve used it in my classroom, and my students
love it. To buy Storymatic from Amazon, click here.
Age Group: Middle or High School
3.
The
Story Spinner
If your students have a hard time coming up with something
to write about, this is a good site for them.
They click the spinner, and get a setting for their story, as well as a
starting phrase, and four words to include in their story.
Age Group: Middle or High School
4.
The Story
Starter
Again, this is a good resource for students who “don’t know
what to write about.” Students can click
for a “Random Story Starter Sentence.” Students
can also click a link that will take them to “Tips for Writers,” written by the
creator of The Story Starter. Students
might prefer the junior version: The
Story Starter, Jr. - http://www.thestorystarter.com/jr.htm
Age Group: Middle or High School
Picture Book
5.
7
Ways to Structure Your Picture Book
I would have loved to get credit for writing a children’s’
book when I was in high school This
article recommends 7 common structures used in picture books.
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level: 9.0
Writing Prompts
6.
Visual
Writing Prompts!
I love that the writing prompts on this webpage are pictures
and videos meant to stimulate a writer’s mind!
A new visual is added every day, but students can also search archives
to find something they want to write about.
Age Group: High School
7.
Ink
Provoking
On this site, a new prompt is offered every Sunday, but
users can go back and see previous prompts.
The author of this site has promised to keep “questionable material” off
of the site so teachers don’t have to worry about what students might stumble
upon.
8.
Writing
Teacher Hangout
This website has everything from student writing, writing
ideas, advice from teachers, favorite stories submitted by teachers… This site
seems to most appropriate for teachers who are teaching some sort of creative
writing. Get some ideas! J
9.
Creative
Writing Prompts
This site would be great for teachers to get writing prompts…or
let the students click until they find something worth writing about. 364 writing prompts! Just click on a number :D
Age Group: Middle or High School
Poetry
10. Rhymezone
This website allows students to find rhymes, near rhymes,
synonyms, antonyms, similar sounding words, etc. This could come in handy for students writing
certain types of poem structures such as internal and slant rhyme.
Age Group: Middle or High School
11. The Children’s Poetry Archive
Students can search poems by theme or by poetic form. In most cases, the authors themselves read
the poems aloud (if you click on the Play button to the left of the poem). This is a very nice feature for ELL and
struggling readers. However, it’s also
good for all students because even English speaking, good readers sometimes
have a hard time knowing how to read poetry fluently. This audio provides a very nice model for
them. This is a great site for students
to explore classic and modern poets.
Hearing poems that they like will provide a model for the kinds of poems
they want to write.
Practice
12. Young Writers Society
Forums, newsletters, contests, blogs, chat, and online
resources for people 13-25. You have to
register, but it’s free. Students can
read poems, short stories, and novels that have only been published online…and
they can comment on it. Students can
also submit their own work to be read and critiqued.
Age Group: High School
13. Pomegranate Words
Students or Teachers can access writing lessons, submit work
for critiques. The site was originally
launched to address the lack of creative writing opportunities in schools. Every month, the site offers a poetry and fiction
contest for teens. Distance learning
classes are also available.
Grammar
14. Grammar Blog: Mocking Poor Grammar since
2007
Laugh at everyone else’s mistakes, and maybe learn how to
not make them yourself! ;) There’s even
a link, “Think Before You Ink,” that you can click to see misspellings on tattoos. I did see one cuss word….the “F” word…so be
careful. ;) Because of that, I’ll rate
this site for high school age+…but elementary and middle school teachers can
pull pics off the site to show in class.
15. Grammar Girl
I don’t all of the ads on this page, but I do like that
students can get some great grammar and writing tips without it feeling like
they’re looking in a textbook.
Age Group: High School
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