Friday Freewrite: Cold
Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within.
Today’s writing prompt:
You’re out for a wintry walk (and you’re wearing a wooly hat, heavy coat, snow pants, gloves, and boots), when a tree overhears you grumbling about the cold weather. What does the tree have to say in response?
Share your child’s freewrite in the comments if you’d like! (Or feel free to share your freewrite too!)
New to freewriting?
Freewriting is the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into expressing the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then have your child write whatever comes to mind. We invite you to freewrite too, at the same time as your kids. Just keep the pencil moving until “ding”—when the timer rings!
Need more help? Check out our free online guide.
Ella age 12
As I go out to play
Within the house I want to stay
But out I go!
Silence is disturbed, grumbling ungrateful child.
he is warm he is all bundled up… Me? No! not even my leaves they have abandoned me
The tree is creaking
I-think it's not cold it snowing! light and fluffy
cold and puffy
Winter snow has come.
The child stops and looks
Up, into my branches and…
smiles.
Edith age 9
you think it's cold what do you even think your doing: I have to stand hear in the cold all day + night.
Cold indeed, un gratfull people, a ways grumdeling. noting better to do
What was that
I said I think you
should try being a human for a
day
will gladly
trade for day.
Being a Brave Learner and sharing my freewrite:
The Tree says:
"Hello small friend! I hear your grumbles, I hear that those things you wrap yourself up in are bulky and uncomfortable. How lucky you are to have the soft and swishy fabrics to keep you cozy and warm on your wintry walk!
Tell me...
When was the last time you took your hand fluffs off, and laid your bare palms against the bark of one of my brethren?
When did you stop and look up into my canopy and let the dappled winter light shine on your rosy cheeks now that the sun is high enough in the sky to dapple?
When last did you pause and inhale deeply and let the scent of needles and pitch fill your lungs with my oxygenated goodness?
When have you stepped off the well-worn path and pressed your whole being into mine and felt me breathe life force from deep within the earth up and out and into every cell of you?
Come child, allow me to tell my stories and share my medicine. And you can offer yours."