Creative Writing and the STEAM Discipline
If there wasn’t a writing curriculum, how would you allow students to express and pursue their individual interests? Would you dwell on grammar and punctuation? Or rhyme and rhythm? Would you prioritize content or context? Or would you rather hold on to a curriculum, but have your students work for a grade?
The point here is to recognize the bigger picture and what is more important. Creative Writing is an unpredictable form of art, rather than a curriculum guided by the teacher. Therefore, individual creativity has to be interpreted from a unique perspective that is cognizant of other disciplines without confining its authenticity within a rubric for a grade, and all the mechanics of grammar and punctuation. Not that these aspects of writing are insignificant, but we should ask ourselves: “What is more beneficial in the real world?”
Teachers may engage students in Creative Writing activities to align with other disciplines in STEAM learning experiences. To incorporate the STEAM discipline into Creative Writing, let us consider the following tips:
Choice of Writing Topic and Digital Tool
Allow students to come up with their own creative writing topics and interest areas. Students should also be allowed to choose how they want to express themselves with digital tools as an option for their creative writing. Some examples of digital tools are: word processing documents, presentation software, storytelling app, cartoon app, web design apps, etc.
Demonstrate Flexibility
Teachers may allow students to explore various forms of expressive writing such as song writing, poetry, storytelling, digital media production, and more. In addition, students may use a variety of digital tools to create expressive digital artifacts such as digital comics, digital stories, blog writing, web content, newsletters, etc.
Real-World Relevance
Give students the opportunity to think beyond the classroom and consider a real world audience that could really access their art. For example, a student who wants to write a song should think beyond receiving a grade and consider composing a song that could be produced by an actual record label. Therefore, students may be safely guided to leverage appropriate digital communication platforms such as emails to reach out to record labels to seek record deals.
Service Oriented
Service oriented citizens make responsible digital citizens. Ask students to consider how their art could serve a higher purpose and use digital sources to connect this purpose to the world. For example, a student who is a song writer may write a song to acknowledge all mothers for their labor of love and publish this song on age appropriate social media platforms, streaming websites, etc.
Wouldn’t you love to be the Creative Writing teacher who used the classroom to pave the way for the likes of Amanda Gorman and Shonda Rhymes? These tips are for you, but don’t keep it all to yourself. Share the love of STEAM and Creative Writing with your colleagues. We look forward to seeing the unique ways everyone is using digital media to demonstrate creativity.
