Creative Response Possibility

I am still not entirely sure what I will create for my “creative response.” I am considering attempting to create a variation of the PostSecret project while also incorporating some of the elements of Project Mortified. I work at an afterschool program as a class instructor. I choose what classes I want to teach and what grade levels can sign up for my classes. We have just started a new class period which will last about six weeks. I have decided to teach a creative writing class for 3rd through 5th grade students. I am planning on presenting the students with writing prompts such as, “What are you most afraid of?” and “What do you think the world will be like in 50 years?” I am going to ask the students to write short paragraphs and to include illustrations if they would like. I’m also going to tell the students that they do not have to put their names on their work and that their identity will never be revealed to readers of their works.

I am curious as to how anonymity will influence the writing of elementary school students. Since students are constantly reminded to put their names on their papers, I wonder how their writing will change when they are freed of this responsibility. I will teach the class for 45 minutes every Monday and Wednesday starting next week. I am anxious to see how the class will develop and what type of writing the students will produce. Ultimately, I would like to use the students’ writing and illustrations to produce a book of anonymous stories, quotes, and images created entirely by elementary school students.