“Sacred Writing Time” Slides! - Corbett Harrison

“Sacred Writing

My wife, Dena Harrison, and I require ten-fifteen m
we meet with our students. It’s how we begin eve
observe the world with “a writer’s eyes,” and they
about what just happened in my writer’s noteboo
ten-fifteen minutes “Sacred Writing Time” becaus

It takes many of our students a little time to learn
a personally-interesting idea to write about, so we
Monthly Writer’s Notebook Bingo Cards and our
our favorite tools for students as they learn to use
Time PowerPoint slides are our latest tool for that
have daily. These slides are displayed as students
are four different pieces of information on each sl
piece of information could inspire a student to res

The 32 slides that follow this one are the slides we
invite you to use them, and should they inspire yo
we actually sell the entire set of slides at our webs
website for information on acquiring all of our com
Slides.

Yours in improving education,

--Corbett & Dena Harrison, lifelong learners and w

© 2013. Corbett Harrison, Educational Consultants, LLC. All rights reserve

g Time” Slides!

minutes of writer’s notebook time every day
ery class session. We train our students to
y constantly ask themselves, “Could I write
ok today or tomorrow or Monday?” We call the
se it’s our guarantee to our students.
n they’re supposed to always come to class with
e also provide them with some prompting. Our
Restaurant-themed Choice Menus are two of
e their “writer’s eyes” These Sacred Writing
t guaranteed chunk of writing time our students
walk in and take out their notebooks. There
lide (we have them for August 1-June 15); each
spond to for fifteen minutes with writing.
e created for August 1-September 15. We
our writers as they do ours, please know that
site. Check out our Products Page at Corbett’s
mpletely editable Sacred Writing Inspirational

writing teachers

ed.

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class begins, quie

It’s Aug

Today begins National “Aviation W
ever fl

Trivial Fact of the Day: Rubber bands last
refrigerated.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Logic will g
Imagination will take you everywhere.” --
American physicist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: aspersion (n
feeling or a damaging remark. How many
experience in one day?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 15.

Week.” What’s the furthest you’ve
lown?

t longer when they are

get you from A to B.
-Albert Einstein (German-

noun) – this fancy word means a negative
y aspersions do you suppose most people

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class commences, q

It’s Aug

Today is National “Tell a Joke Day
over-told joke in the

Trivial Fact of the Day: Dreamt is the only
the letters mt.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “The quicke
is to fold it over and put it back in your po
(American humorist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: despotic (ad
a picture a leader who is a tyrant and rule
name three despotic leaders (or despots)

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

gust 16.

y.” What do you think is the most
e history of mankind?

y English word (for now) that ends with

est way to double your money
ocket.” --Will Rogers

djective) – apply this description to paint
es with an unkind attitude. Can you
from history?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Thrift Shop D

Trivial Fact of the Day: An ounce of gold c
long.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “When you
tie a knot and hang on.” --Franklin Delano
|the United States)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: jubilant (adj
person or event that is joyful. Can you na
would describe with the word jubilant?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 17.

Day.” How might you celebrate?

can be stretched into a wire 50 miles

u come to the end of your rope,
o Roosevelt (32nd President of

jective) – use this word to describe a
ame two people and two events that you

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class commences, q

It’s Aug

Today is National “Serendipity Day.”
or fictional) could you

Trivial Fact of the Day: A “jiffy” is an actu
1/100th of a second.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Just don't
you really want to do. Where there is love
think you can go wrong.” --Ella Fitzgerald

**Vocabulary Word of the Day: serendipi
modify a noun that is a happy accident or
time you experienced something serendip

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

gust 18.

” What serendipitous** event (true
base a funny story on?

ual measurement of time, equaling

give up trying to do what
e and inspiration, I don't
(American jazz singer)

itous (adjective) – use this adjective to
r a pleasant surprise. When is the last
pitous?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class has begun, qu

It’s Aug

Today is “World Humanitarian Da
what do you suppose

Trivial Fact of the Day: A cat has 32 musc

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Far away t
highest aspirations. I may not reach them
beauty, believe in them, and try to follow
--Louisa May Alcott (American novelist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: dilettante (n
someone who dabbles (plays around for f
dilettante who dabbles? If so, with which

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
uietly make that pencil dance!

gust 19.

ay.” If vegetarians eat vegetables,
e humanitarians eat?

cles in each ear while a human has only 6.

there in the sunshine are my
m, but I can look up and see their

where they lead.”

noun) – this fancy noun can be applied to
fun) with one of the arts. Are you a
h art?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Radio D

Trivial Fact of the Day: Like fingerprints, e
unique.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “All our dre
have the courage to pursue them.” --Walt

Vocabulary Word of the Day: ossify (verb)
means to become actual bone or to—ove
one’s beliefs about something. Do you kn
with their beliefs?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 20.

Day.” Tune in to celebrate.

everyone’s tongue print is different and

eams can come true—if we
t Disney (American innovator)

) – this is an action word that
er time—became rigid with
now anyone who became very ossified

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Poet’s Da

Trivial Fact of the Day: Every U.S. dime ha

Interesting Quote of the Day: “I haven’t fa
ways that don’t work.” --Thomas Edison

Vocabulary Word of the Day: nostalgia (n
person feels when they long or ache for th
who shows a lot of nostalgia? What are th

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 21.

ay.” How great to celebrate?

as exactly 118 ridges around its edge.

ailed. I have just found 10,000
(American inventor)

noun) – this is the thing a
he past. Who do you know
hey mostly nostalgic about?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Be An Angel Day
you know? Who is an angelic c

Trivial Fact of the Day: England’s Stonehe
Coliseum.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Never give
and time that the tide will turn.” --Harriet
novelist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: mitigate (ve
something less severe. How might you co
mitigated my punishment by _________.

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 22.

y.” Who is the most angelic person
character from a favorite book?

enge is 1500 years older than Rome’s

e up, for that is just the place
t Beecher Stowe (American

erb) – this action word means to make
omplete this sentence? My parents

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class begins, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Ride the Wind D
the wind like a kite or b

Trivial Fact of the Day: Fathers tend to de
mothers the weight.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “The best w
--Robert Frost (American poet)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: vindicate (ve
when someone has been proven or justifi
vindicated at home? In school? Can you r
vindicated?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 23.

Day.” What would it be like to ride
bird or hot air balloon?

etermine the height of their children,

way out is always through.”

erb) – use this action word
ied to be right. Have you ever been
recall a court case where someone was

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class begins, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Waffle Day.” Ho

Trivial Fact of the Day: It’s actually health
someone.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Knowing y
wisdom.” --Aristotle (Greek philosopher)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: transient (ad
describe something that lasts only a short
impermanent, like a relative’s visit. Can y
describe with this adjective?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 24.

ow many can you eat at one sitting?

hier to kiss than it is to shake hands with

yourself is the beginning of all

djective) – use this word to
t time, or something that is
you name three other nouns you might

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class begins, quie

It’s Aug

Today is National “Kiss and Make U
your teacher

Trivial Fact of the Day: An elephant is the

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Imaginatio
knowledge.” --Albert Einstein (German-Am

Vocabulary Word of the Day: placid (adje
something that is calm and peaceful, like
you name three other nouns you might de

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 25.

Up Day.” Please don’t celebrate in
r’s presence.

e only animal with four knees.

on is more important than
merican physicist)

ective) – use this word to describe
a lake at dawn, a person meditating. Can
escribe with this word?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Augu

Today is National “Dog Day.” Wo
days to your dog?

Trivial Fact of the Day: We, as humans, fo

Interesting Quote of the Day: “The future
in the beauty of their dreams.” --Eleanor
of the United States)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: sanguine (a
something that is cheerfully optimistic, lik
Can you name three instances when you m

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

ust 26.

ould it be just one day or seven
? Think about it

orget 90% of our dreams.

e belongs to those who believe
Roosevelt (Former First Lady

adjective) – use this word to describe
ke a person’s attitude or expectations.
might describe yourself with this word?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class commences, q

It’s Aug

It’s International “Global Forgiven

Trivial Fact of the Day: No President of th
his parents.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Success do
blunders, but in never making the same o
Billings (American humorist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: voracious (a
eating greedily or eating large quantities.
most voracious?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

gust 27.

ness Day.” Who needs forgiving?

hese United States was an only child from

oes not consist in never making
one a second time.” --Josh

adjective) – this word means
Which three holidays have you being the

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class is launched, qu

It’s Aug

It’s National “Race Your Mouse Day
and a maz

Trivial Fact of the Day: Every day, 15 billio

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Do not ant
about what may never happen. Keep in th
Franklin (American inventor)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: vilify (verb)
of someone or something as a villain or as
describe as vicious. Who or what is some

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
uietly make that pencil dance!

gust 28.

y.” Anyone else bring their mouse
ze today?

on cigarettes are smoked worldwide.

ticipate trouble, or worry
he sunlight.” --Benjamin

– use this action word to paint a picture
s a really bad thing; to defame or
ething you might vilify?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

It’s National “More Herbs, Less Sal
much

Trivial Fact of the Day: If you plug your no

Interesting Quote of the Day: “The art of
overlook.” --William James (American phi

Vocabulary Word of the Day: confound (v
someone or something confuses or surpri
something unexpected. When was the la

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 29.

lt Day.” Do you think you eat too
salt?

ose, you can no longer hum.

being wise is knowing what to
ilosopher)

verb) – use this action word when
ises someone else, usually by doing
ast time someone else confounded you?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

It’s National “Frankenstein Day.” Ha

Trivial Fact of the Day: The are 293 differ
You can’t change that fact!

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Elegance i
Shelley (English novelist)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: abdicate (ve
when someone with power gives up that
duties and obligations. Can you name any

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 30.

ave you ever shouted, “It’s Alive”?

rent ways to make change for a dollar.

is inferior to virtue.” --Mary

erb) – apply this action word
power (like a king), or their
y leaders who have abdicated?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Aug

It’s National “Trail Mix Day.” Wh
endur

Trivial Fact of the Day: Your foot is proba

Interesting Quote of the Day: “If you have
their candles in it.” --Margaret Fuller (Am

Vocabulary Word of the Day: diligence (no
when they are working quietly or steadily
requires exactness or precision. Can you t
might show this noun?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

gust 31.

hat’s the longest hike you ever
red?

ably the same length as your forearm.

e knowledge, let others light
merican journalist and activist)

oun) – people show this noun
y on a task, often a task that
think of three instances when a person

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts, quie

It’s Septe

Today is “Emma M. Nutt Day.” Sh
operator. With that name, what do y

Trivial Fact of the Day: In the U.S., Americ

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Seek the lo
seeing great work at some moment every
(Pulitzer-Prize Winning American Author)

Vocabulary Word of the Day: empathy (no
understand someone else by entering tha
empathy for a character in a book you’re r

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

ember 1.

he was the first female telephone
you think her job should have been?

cans eat about 17 acres of pizza a day.

ofty by reading, hearing and
y day.” --Thornton Wilder
)

oun) – this is what you show when you
at person’s feelings. Have you ever had true
reading, or for a friend?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class commences, q

It’s Septe

Today is National “Beheading D

Trivial Fact of the Day: No piece of norma
than seven times.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Live in eac
the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and
influences of each.” --Henry David Thorea

Vocabulary Word of the Day: nonchalant
someone who seems coolly unconcerned
feel the most nonchalant?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

ember 2.

Day.” Please don’t celebrate it.

al-sized paper can be folded in half more

ch season as it passes; breathe
d resign yourself to the
au (American poet and author)

(adjective) – this word describes
or indifferent. When or where do you

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class is in session, q

It’s Septe

Today is National “Skyscraper Day.”
ever be

Trivial Fact of the Day: During a windstor
can sway several feet from either side.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “A number
you anywhere.” --Joyce A. Myers (Americ

Vocabulary Word of the Day: scrutinize (v
examine something carefully with the inte
different instances when you might scruti

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

ember 3.

What’s the highest building you’ve
een in?

rm or rainstorm, the Empire State Building

2 pencil and a dream can take
can author)

verb) – this is the action you perform when
ent of verifying something. What are three
inize something?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class begins, quie

It’s Septe

Today is National “Newspaper Ca
becomes an archaic** holiday? An

Trivial Fact of the Day: Every human bein
single cell.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Don’t judg
reap but by the seeds that you plant.” --R
author of Treasure Island)

**Vocabulary Word of the Day: archaic (a
something that is very old or old-fashione
newspaper carriers--that are going to bec

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
etly make that pencil dance!

ember 4.

arrier Day.” How long before this
nyone ever a paperboy out there?

ng once spent about half an hour as a

ge each day by the harvest you
Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish

adjective) – this word describes
ed. What are three things--besides
come archaic in the near future?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class commences, q

It’s Septe

Today is National “Be Late for Some
At least not

Trivial Fact of the Day: It’s impossible to s

Interesting Quote of the Day: “In a gentle
--Mahatma Gandhi (Indian activist and hu

Vocabulary Word of the Day: spurious (ad
that is plausible (believable) but actually f
was actually proven false by the Mythbus
any other trivial facts that might be spurio

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
quietly make that pencil dance!

ember 5.

ething Day.” Please don’t celebrate!
in this class!

sneeze with your eyes open.

e way, you can shake the world.”
umanitarian)

djective) – this word describes something
false. Look at today’s trivial fact. This
sters, but it sounds true. Can you think of
ous?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts anew, qu

It’s Septe

Today is National “Fight Procrastin
today or will you wa

Trivial Fact of the Day: 111,111,111 x 11

Interesting Quote of the Day: “Nothing is
says, ‘I’m possible.’” --Audrey Hepburn (A

Vocabulary Word of the Day: prosaic (adj
someone or something that lacks wit or im
show features the most people who could

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
uietly make that pencil dance!

ember 6.

nation Day.” Will you celebrate it
ait until tomorrow?

11,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321.

s impossible. The word itself
American Actress)

jective) – this word describes
magination. Which reality television
d be described with the word prosaic?

Sacred Wr

Did you come to class wit
As soon as class starts anew, qu

It’s Septe

Today is National “Neither Rain n
coope

Trivial Fact of the Day: Other than human
that can have blue eyes.

Interesting Quote of the Day: “The glow o
worth more than money.’” --Thomas Jeffe

Vocabulary Word of the Day: hackneyed (
something (like a phrase or cliché) that is
through over-use. Can you think of an exp
hackneyed?

riting Time

th an idea to write about?
uietly make that pencil dance!

ember 7.

nor Snow Day.” Will the weather
erate?

ns, black lemurs are the only primates

of one warm thought is to me
erson (3rd U.S. President)

(adjective) – this word describes
repeated too often, or overfamiliar
pression or joke that has been