In this Spark, students will mine their home and their habits for story and personal essay ideas.
Grades 4–8
Narrative
Interviewing Inanimate Objects with Daniel Handler
by Daniel Handler
Spark Summary
Students will anthropomorphize an inanimate object to produce interview questions and answers.
Grades 6–12
Poetry
Meaning from Shape
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Spark Summary
Sometimes the shape of the poem can convey as much meaning as the words themselves.
Grades 3–5
Poetry, Social-Emotional Learning
If I Were a Pizza
by 826 National, inspired by student authors of 826 New Orleans
Spark Summary
We are all parts of a whole, just like a pizza! In this Spark, students will think about all the things that make them who they are and then write a poem in the shape of a pizza.
Grades 3–5
Poetry
Diary of a Tasty Food
by 826 National, inspired by student authors of 826 New Orleans
Spark Summary
In this Spark, students will pretend to be their favorite food and write about what that food would do on an average day.
Grades 7–12
Poetry
How to Write an Anti-Ode
by 826 National, inspired by student authors of 826 New Orleans
Spark Summary
Usually, an ode is written in celebration, but this Spark asks students to write an anti-ode—a poem about something they can’t stand!
Grades 3–5
Poetry
Mystery Food Poems
by 826 National, inspired by student authors of 826 New Orleans
Spark Summary
In this Spark, students will write a poem that engages the reader in answering the question: Can you guess this food?
Grades 7–12
Narrative
Location, Location, Location
by G.D. Falksen
Spark Summary
Students draw inspiration from a real or fictional location and use this sense of place to develop an in-setting document.
Grades 1–5
Narrative, Poetry, Social-Emotional Learning
Sensory Heart Mapping
by 826 National
Spark Summary
Students will identify their favorite sensory memories and transfer them to a visual heart map.
Grades 6–8
Persuasive
Obsession with Jessica Goodman
by Jessica Goodman
Spark Summary
This Spark uses students’ favorite things to support their persuasive writing practice.
Grades 3–12
Poetry
Book Scavenger Hunt Poetry with Amanda Gorman
by Amanda Gorman
Spark Summary
Amanda Gorman, Inaugural U.S. Youth Poet Laureate, shares her favorite way to inspire a new poem or get past writer’s block.
Grades 5–8
STEM
Loop-y Lyrics
by Julius Panoriñgan, 826LA
Spark Summary
Students will use their knowledge of popular music to learn basic computer programming concepts.