Will You Come and Join the Dance: An Invitation to Gifted Writers

Abstract

Will You Come and Join the Dance is directed primarily at creative writing teachers of gifted students grades three through twelve. The article explores use of the personal journal as a means for capturing creative visual images and describing those images through the written word. Given particular attention is the need for stimulating the five senses of sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch in student writing. The author believes gifted students move into Piaget's stage of formal operations faster than other students and have a tendency to discard sensory or concrete objects in their writing in favor of ideas. Specific activities are described in each sensory area for practice in making writing come alive with sensory images. Finally, the author asks teachers of gifted writers to get their students involved in experiencing life to its fullest. Their writing will be more genuine if they “come and join the dance.”