VOLUME XIV, NUMBEH 30

# INNOVATION ABSTRACTS

 
  

   

A Different Approach—

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5 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN WITH SUPPORT#FFOM THE W. K: KELLOGG FOUNDATION AND THE SID W. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION

 
    

Teaching Creative Writing in the Older Adult Program

Monterey Peninsula College’s Older Adult Pro-
gram—an outreach program that sends teachers to meet
with pupils who might not be able to attend campus
classes—serves anyone college age or older, though the
majority of the students are retired. Classes are held in
community centers, retirement homes, nursing homes,
or any place where 15 interested students and a teacher
decide to devote two hours a week to each other.

@

At the first creative writing class meeting, I request
that all inhibitions about writing be left at home, that
spelling and grammar can always be corrected later,
that what is needed now is the ability to record one’s
thoughts. At the beginning of each two-hour class, I
present a springboard, then a suggestion for the subject
of the day’s writing. We, myself included, write for about
half an hour. Then, as I sense completion, I open the
floor for sharing. In most classes, everyone shares,
although there is no demand to do so. Occasionally,
people choose to pass, and we all accept that there are
days when that is necessary. I always share last, and
some of my better writing comes forth during these
times!

Why does this work so well? I am certain that my
enthusiasm and absolute belief that everyone has the
ability to write creates a positive setting. (One woman
had misread her catalogue and thought she was attend-
ing a travel class; she has been with me for three years
and delights at her initial mistake!) Also, critique is
primarily positive; appreciation of good work and
acknowledgment of growth is forthcoming, as is the
balance, when one has not produced at one’s usual
level. Also, and this is of prime importance, because we
share deeply through our writings, a sense of commu-
nity is created and friendships grow beyond the class-
room.

What do I do? Usually there is an introductory
period. We speak of pertinent topics: learning about a
good book someone has read, announcing a poetry

reading that is scheduled during the week, congratulat-
ing a person whose work has appeared in a local
publication, welcoming someone back who has been
away. Then I present the lesson.

I have been conducting this class for almost five
years (some of my students have been with me that
long), and I am always collecting ideas. Of course, what
better springboard is there for writers than other
writing? When I read a piece that I find special, it ends
up in my lesson plans. Some examples of written works
that I have used include: children’s books, poctry,
editorials, dialogues from novels, and essays.

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These writing assignments are guaranteed to stimu-
late students’ imaginations:

* Give each student a want ad around which to
create a story.

¢ Hand out picture postcards; ask students to place
themselves in that setting.

¢ Use postcards; ask students to speak as though
they were an object on the card.

e Bring in flowers, both artificial and real, and ask
students to write their feelings about the contrast.

¢ Bring in seasonal food; ask students to use all their
senses to write a memory.

* Play classical music; let the sound dictate the
writing.

* Pass out old Life, National Geographic, or Gourmet
magazines to stir memories.

¢ Bring an oil portrait of two people; have students
create a conversation.

¢ Copy the first paragraph of a novel; ask the
students individually to continue.

¢ Write a past memory in the present tense. (This is
good for beginning students.)

¢ Write a letter (to someone you like, a public
official, the editor of a local paper, etc.).

* Create an abstract fabric collage; then see what it is
telling you to write.

 

==. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (NISOD)
Community College Leadership Program, Department of Educational Administration
~~ College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin, EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712