I tried the calisthenics exercise I borrowed from Writing Poetry on “writing the absurd” on my class this past week. It was engaging because 6,7,8th graders can especially relate to the comedy in making outlandish connections. I received many depictions of people eating strange things, inanimate objects doing strange things, and animals going crazy. Younger people are ideal for fostering ideas. Using them as a springboard, I came up with my own animal piece.
Not only were my students excited about participating in this strange writing exercise, it carried into the next lesson. I found that by referencing the fun we had being strange, I got more interest in the structure of grammatical teaching.
Maybe you could share with us some of the absurd writing from your class? I'd like to see it. Also, it might be a way for you to usher in surrealism, among other literary and artistic movements.
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