Writing prompts are often used by school teachers in language arts classes. They can give a student a jump start in deciding what to write about. But sometimes the prompts don't help much.
I was substituting in a third grade class and on the lesson plan that teacher had left instructions for the class to write about a special day they'd had.
Most students jumped right in and began writing away. A few gazed blankly, pencils limp.
One boy seemed especially perplexed. I stooped down and asked him to tell me about a special day that he'd had. He said he'd never had a special day. How about Christmas? I asked. Do you do anything special on Christmas? The boy shook his head. How about your birthday? What special things do you do on your birthday? Special food? Special...the boy again shook his head. He had the saddest look on his face. Haven't you done something fun with your dad or mom or gone on a vacation? No.
I don't think he ever got anything written down for that assignment.
How sad.
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