Karaling Over Carrots. An Exercise of Voice Presented by Dr. Michelle Caruso Walker for Teachers @CWPFairfield

Teachers are avid sleuths, always looking for something to take away from other writing teachers in order to build skills and stamina in the writers we teach. This summer, CWP-Fairfield had a return leader looking for a next step to rejuvenate an ongoing career, who arrived with a mission to establish passion-projects with 8th graders, but landed on numerous exercises to help others to build voice. Expertise. Play. Writing time. Discussion.

I took delight because I've never been tasked to do such a thing in my writer's notebook, and I loved every second. We were asked to aim for ten - ten voices we have in our identities that have distinct voices. List them. Name them. I only got to eight.

Karal(ing) - the way I talk to my dog, Road-rager - the way I yell at I-95 traffic, Q-bert - my reflective voice I use with Suzie-Q, Buddha - my calm, contemplative friendship voice with Leo on weekends, Birtha - the persona I take at times on the toilet, Cran-denglish - my Mandinglish patois I learned from the twins, the Pee-Wee Herman - the voice I use while teaching kids, and the Cybil - the constant Id, Ego, and Superego that lives in my everyday thoughts. 

We were then asked to choose one and use it to write about an action or object. I went with peeling carrots, but doing so as if I was talking to Karal, the puppy-dog.

Karaling with Carrots. (in best look at that little doggy voice)

Come here. Stop. Come here. Oh, look at you. Stay. Stay. You're so orange. Yes you are. Bath time. Bath time. I'm going to peel you so bad, oh yes I am. Yes I am. Come here, girl. Oh, look at those leaves. Someone's getting a haircut. They're so fuzzy. Who's a good vegetable? Oh, you're a good vegetable. Who loves their daddy? You love your daddy. No biting. No bites. Where's that peeler. Go get that peeler. Come on, where's the peeler. Good carrot. Good carrot. Ready? Come on. Come on. Yes, I know you love this. Stay still. Oh, look at your skin. Smoother now. Look how smooth you are. 

That was just plain fun (and informative). My mind is racing with additional ways I can utilize this activity with my own students.

I'm so sad today's the last day of the institute! I'm not sure what voice I'll bring, but I will enter the space with pride. What a wonderful group!