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 Writing Like an
Artist Paints
crafting with color, texture,
and shape words
The writing of author Blue Balliett is inspiring student writers to try new techniques with the traits of idea development and word choice.
By visiting this lesson's Teacher Instructions & Lesson Resources page, you will find even more student samples that can be printed for your classroom to be used as discussion tools during the teaching of this lesson. Your students can also self-publish their writing to this lesson by clicking here. |
Student Sample: Early Elementary
(Samples posted at WritingFix underwent all steps of the writing process.)
 The Bike in the Park
by Austin, third grade writer
Round and round the pedals go, faster and faster by the park. Around the bike, the grass is blowing by in a blur and it’s morphed with the white of the dandelion. The slide has a gleam which shines in my eyes. The wood chips and the rough concrete look uncomfortable, and I hope they don’t pop my tires. The clouds look like old chips of paint off a car. The blue of the sky is painted with stroked water color. This park look like an old painting with details chipped off.
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Student Sample: Upper Elementary
(Samples posted at WritingFix underwent all steps of the writing process.)
 Tram Square
by Austin, fourth grade writer
This afternoon, I am boarding the 2:45 tram to Fenway Park. I get on the empty and lifeless train within the underground-like fortress, which is North Station.
We are now in the dark tunnel, and you cannot see anything outside it. Then a few minutes later…. THE LIGHT!!!!!! I finally see cars: metallic black, environmental green, and mangled as if in a demolition derby. I see people with short flat hair, long wavy hair, and even blue and red hair! Everyone is just storming into the narrow doors. Oh, the chaos! People of all cultures--Italian, English, French, Dominican, and American--were all coming to the BIG Red Sox vs. Yankees game!
As I get off the train, I become part of the crowd, frantically looking for a place to mesh in. When I look back toward the train, I see a square drifting off into the streets of Boston. As I am full of joy and excitement, the train is empty and lifeless once again.
(Click here to view and print Austin and one of his classmate'' descriptions.)
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Student Sample: Middle School
(Samples posted at WritingFix underwent all steps of the writing process.)
 The Eagle
by Nicole, seventh grade writer
Speed was the objective here, flying through the mountains, wind hitting a feathery face. The eagle sped around her several times, gazing with waxed eyes, going so fast she looked at the bird’s black feathers, almost lace-like. Pointed beak opened and closed, opened and closed, breathing out screams. The forest blurred, the greens, browns, and almost-white yellows mix together, making a rainbow of colors and shapes, like a painting gone wrong, the brush strokes running into each other. And soon the eagle flew off, never to be seen again, but frozen in her mind that moment when royalty crossed her path.
(Click here to view and print Nicole and three of her classmates' descriptions.)
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Student Sample Being Sought: High School
WritingFix is currently seeking a 9th - 12th grade student sample from this writing assignment that can be featured in this space. Submitted student work must show evidence of revision, editing, and the final draft must be typed and sent through e-mail. Teachers: if you can help us obtain up to three student samples, along with a digital photo of the students and a signed permission slips, we will send you either a complimentary copy of the Northern Nevada Writing Project's Secondary Writing Guide, or you may choose from any of our NNWP publications.
Write to us at publish@writingfix.com and write "Chasing Vermeer" in your e-mail's subject line, if you have a student sample to share with us.
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