I did school visits almost every day last week, and they were all much, much fun. But my favorite visit had to be Jefferson Elementary in Redford, Michigan. I got to present to the whole school (in two groups), and have lunch with some awesome kid writers. The best moment, though, was when I started my "Let's Make a Story" bit with the 3rd-5th graders.
The point behind making a story with a whole crowd is to show even when you don't think you have a single idea, if you just think of SOMETHING, the ideas will follow. If you invent a person, questions about that person just naturally arise. And it's your job to write until you find the answers.
So I said, "Let's invent a person. What's this person's name?" And the kid in the front on whom I called responded, "His name is Toast."
Toast. Toast?! That may be the best name for a chapter book character ever. And, oh, the questions! Is that his real name or a nickname? And how did he get it? And, and, and...
I challenged the kids at Jefferson to write me the story of a boy named Toast. But really, I want Toast (and toast) all for myself.
Monday, March 15, 2010
His name is Toast
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6 comments:
i miss working in elementary when i hear about a moment like this.
kids really are dextrously creative.
i wonder if another kid got fed up with that funny kid and said that to him...
Hm, I think you need to name a character Toast and dedicate the book to Jefferson Elementary School. I feel like he already has so much personality just based on his name!
What a fun school visit. Thanks for sharing.
cath, I wondered that too, like "this kid is toast."
Anna, exactly! I can totally picture him. Hmm...
Susanne, it was indeed much fun.
Huh. My comment didn't show -- but the current word verification, "alamomp,"makes up for it.
What I said was, I use that name all the time, as in, "When he gets home, that boy's toast!"
Could be a source for the moniker...like the old Cosby skit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSFy8RK-MFg
I'm so with you, Toast is a GREAT name for a child character. I hope they come up with some brilliant stories to go along with a brilliant name. What a great, child friendly exercise, too, Jacqui.
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