Mind Travel
This is an exercise that I used to use a lot in years 7-11 to help children who were reluctant or struggling writers. It could work with primary aged children too, although in my experience children at this age tend to be much more enthusiastic and uninhibited writers!
I usually begin my getting the children to close their eyes and tell them that they are going to be going on a journey through their imaginations. I tell them that for the purposes of this exercise, spelling and punctuation do not matter, but instead they should just concentrate upon getting their ideas down on paper. I then read through each section in turn, giving the children time to write between each one. They should leave 3-4 lines between each section.
This provides plenty of opportunity for follow-up lessons on descriptive language, grammar and punctuation and peer assessment skills. However, it is important that children are able to write freely in this first lesson, without barriers/fears/worries about getting things ‘wrong’ preventing them.
You are going to be going on a journey through your mind. You will describe to me what you can see, hear, taste and feel. Close your eyes if it helps you to imagine each part of your journey more clearly, and once you can see the images in your mind, begin to write.
- The path
Imagine yourself at the start of a journey. A path stretches in front of you. Imagine what you can see. You may like to think about:
*what is the path made of? (sand, rocks, stone, wood)
*what can you see on either side of the path? (what is the surrounding area like? woods/beach/mountains/cityscape)
- Water
You have begun your journey down your path. A short way ahead of you, you notice some water blocking your way. Describe the water and how you manage to cross it. You may like to think about:
*How big is the water? (is it a puddle, stream, lake, river, sea?)
*How will you cross it? (bridge/boat/rope swing)
- Key
You have successfully crossed the river and continued your journey. A short way ahead of you on the path, you see something glinting in the sunlight. As you get closer, you realise that it is a key. You walk towards the key and pick it up. Describe what the key looks like and how it feels. You may like to think about:
*How big is the key? (is it small, like a key to a padlock, or big, like a key to a castle door?)
*Is it old or new? (is it worn down, rusty and old, or shiny and new?)
*How does the key feel in your hand? (sharp/smooth/hot/cold?)
- The house
You carry on your journey and notice a building ahead of you, just to one side of the path. As you draw closer, you realise that it is a house. You walk towards it and look in through one of the windows. Describe the house and what you see when you look inside. You may like to think about:
*Does the house look lived in, or is it derelict and abandoned?
*What material is it made of? (stone, wood, bricks?)
*What do you see when you look inside? (which room are you looking into/is there any furniture/are there any occupants?)
- The wall
You walk on past the house and continue your journey. Way ahead of you, in the distance, you see a huge wall, extending as far as your eyes can see across your path, completely blocking your way. There is no way over it, under it or through it. However, there is a small gap in the wall, which allows you a glimpse of what lie on the other side of it. You realise that this is the ebnd of your journey. Describe the wall and what you see when you look through the gap to the other side. YHou may like to think about:
*What is the wall made of? (stone/brick/wood/metal?)
*How does it feel to the touch?
*Use your imagination to think what you might glimpse on the other side of the wall. Try to be really creative.
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