School is back in session and one of my favorite
memories is jumping rope at recess. Long ropes and short, lines would form to
run in and jump and sing. Here’s an old favorite jumping rhyme:
"School, School the golden rule, spell your name
and go to school."
Many schools include jump rope as part of gym class
and I still enjoy jumping rope to rev up my body and mind when I’m writing.
With a new book debuting soon in a new genre, it’s as if my writer self is
jumping rope between novels, picture books, and blogging. Many authors are
excited by the challenge of publishing in different genres and how it can spur
on new creative writing skills.
Jump Rope Writing Fun
Quick Time: Choose one topic from the
current classroom curriculum or a topic that might affect the entire school,
such as “How can we promote recycling in our school this year?” Write a list of
opening “hook” sentences as fast as possible. Example quick time sentence
starters: Collect plastic bottles for an art project. Tie up extra paper in
bundles to help the school janitor.
Double Dutch: Write an opening paragraph
on the selected topic. Trade papers with another student in class. Write their
next paragraph. Trade again. Repeat until a full page is written.
Cross Over: Write a statement you can
support with facts from a local newspaper article. Example: Dogs must be kept
on leashes in city parks. Write a paragraph about why you agree with this
statement. Next “Cross Over” and write a new statement and supporting paragraph
to challenge this statement and show the opposite side of thinking on the
chosen topic. Example: Well-trained dogs should be allowed to run off-leash at
all times.
Sing Song: Write a jump rope song.
“School, School, the golden rule..” is one example of a rhyming sing song
that’s great for jumping rope. Try writing an individual rhyming song or the
entire class can write together to create a group song like the
following example, with alphabetical names, places, and activities. When it’s
time for gym or recess, you can use the jump rope song you created in class.
A
my name is Alice
And
my friend’s name is Arthur,
We
come from Alabama
Where
we sell artichokes.
B
my name is Barney
And
my friend’s name is Bridget,
We
come from Brooklyn ,
Where
we ride bicycles.
C my name is _________ (and so on).
Jumping rope is always fun and it can be an
enjoyable and productive writing challenge to jump from one style or genre to a
new one.
Alison Ashley Formento’s
debut young adult novel TWIGS is available September 2013.
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