Creative Approach 2: Creative Writing

According to Palmer (2011) creative writing can be used in a variety of ways across the curriculum in twenty first century education. Learning to write is described as being one of the most difficult tasks in academic education. It is a skill which is required throughout an individual’s lifetime. The video below discusses the importance of using creative writing in education.

As part of the module, a guest speaker came to speak to the seminar group about the importance of creative writing. I took part in a creative writing exercise shown on the picture. The task required for me to think creatively and imaginatively as it involved creating new words out of existing words. The task which the guest speaker had prepared can be used in a Key Stage Two classroom in Primary schools and it can help children to learn about the core aspects of the English language in a fun and creative way. Language development is a key benefit of incorporating creative writing exercises into the National Curriculum. According to DCELLS (2010), this is supported by the Foundation Phase Wales Framework as it suggests that language is key for children’s social interaction, communication skills and speech. Additionally through the use of creative writing and language, children can ask questions which are essential for expressing their feelings and the overall wellbeing of the child.

Through tasks like this, children can work in teams to think outside of the norm to create new and exciting words. Another task which I took part in was in creating a profile for a character. This idea can also be transferred to the classroom to use as the building blocks as character and plot development in story writing in Primary schools. An example of a creative writing exercise for children in Primary school can be seen on the right. This exercise is useful as it allows the learner to write in a different perspective, therefore encouraging the learner to think creatively and to use their imagination. 

Reference List

JETSPressJCHS (2015) STEAM- The Importance of Arts in Education. [Video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igu50uuGQ5Qm (Accessed: 23 April 2016).

Palmer, S. (2011) How to Teach Writing Across the Curriculum: Ages 8-14. 2^nd edn. Oxon: Routledge.

Wales: Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, (2015) Curriculum for Wales: Foundation Phase Framework. Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government. Available at: