International Call for Writing

Free Writing Tools for
Educators and Parents

The call for writing encourages educators to explore creative writing in their classrooms and learning environments to include students of all abilities. It is an opportunity to draw out the
expressive minds of students through the written word, while also addressing education standards in reading and writing. Educators new to creative writing can use this call as a catalyst for expanding
teaching techniques. For those already using creative writing in their curricula, the call offers young writers a chance to share their talent with a larger community.

VSA arts has compiled a series of writing guides for educators wanting to learn more about using creative writing to promote inclusive learning environments. These books offer concrete,
simple, and adaptive lesson ideas and writing exercises with practical tips for working with students with disabilities. They are available online at www.vsarts.org under Resources for
Educators and Parents.

Excerpt from 'Let the Light In':
Lesson 6—Mapping Your World
Begin by asking the students several questions. These will help them focus on their places and imagine them more fully. The questions are not asked to be answered, but rather to stimulate the imagination:

“Where do you go when you want to be alone?

• Is it in the mountains, the sea, or an open field?
• Is it in a small alley or the corner of a park?
• Is there a river?

What time of day is it—dusk, dawn, noon?

What is the weather like?

Where are you?

• Are you sitting on a rock or a bench?
• Are you lying in the sun or curled up beside a warm brick wall?”

Some students choose their bedrooms or their cars.
One student chose a closed hockey rink. The key is to choose a place that feels like “home.”

Including All Learners
For students with emotional disabilities, this exercise may
trigger memories of places that are frightening or have a negative
history. Be prepared to deal with this with an acknowledgment about the reality of this for the student, but with encouragement to think about a safe and good space, perhaps an imagined one.