As a prerequisite for this teacher education program, I took a non-fiction creative writing class at MCTC. I was blown away by my professor, Kate Lynn Hibbard, and her ability to teach creative non-fiction. She succeeded in everything that I want to recreate in my high school classroom: a safe space for all students, building confidence in students as writers, and creating constructive peer critics out of all of her students.
As I was reading Within and Beyond the Writing Process in the Secondary English Classroom, I was reminded of Hibbard's infallible instruction. This book appears to had been her bible. Many of Hibbard's in-class writing prompts were similar to the ones suggested in the book. The techniques for positive reinforcement as well as rules and guidelines for responding to students and peer works are indispensable if you want your students to practice writing in a productive manner. These prompts were very successful in a community college setting and could surely be in a high school setting as well. Creative writing and, more specifically, creative non-fiction, is a great way for students to practice fun writing. This book suggests that guided creative writing builds confidence in students and improves their scholastic writing as well.
Kate Lynn Hibbard also used a book in her instruction called, Tell it Slant (Miller and Paula). The title is taken from a Emily Dickinson quote: "Tell all the truth but tell it slant." This is such an important lesson as we teach students creative writing. The quote suggests to indeed write about things you know but don't tell them as absolute facts. Tell them with emotion and meaning. Tell them through your own eyes. Here is a link to Brenda Miller's website and more info on her book that is definitely worth checking out if you want to teach creative non-fiction:
Brenda Miller's Website!
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ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteI took creative non-fiction at the U of M and we used Tell It Slant too as a textbook. I absolutely loved that class. I took it because it was the only creative class that fit in with my schedule, but it really opened up the idea of making non-fiction into a narrative and not just a lifeless account of events. It's amazing too how a writing class can create such a tight community. You feel comfortable with your peers and you make it your responsibility to improve not only your writing, but your peers' writing too.
Yay!
Brittany