Creative Word Spark: Oops!

Oops!

Say that word to your students – have them say it back. What is the first thing that pops into their head? Tell them to go straight to their journals or visual diaries – don’t discuss it as you will find they influence each other – and write furiously, or draw something that represents what they think of when they hear “Oops!”.

Before you start the exercise use some paint to make a splat on a piece of paper (hold a piece of paper a fair way from the nozzle and open it for a second so the paint splats out onto the paper – use lighter colours and set them aside to dry.

When it comes to the stage of writing about the image or experience the word conjures up you can hand out the paint-spattered paper and have students write in patterns around the splat shape – collage the word “Oops” in the middle with glitter or sequins for fun.