Writing is often the most dreaded tasks, according to students. So how can we make it more interesting, more inspiring, more fun? I got notion for a writing “idea box” from author Jerdine Nolen. In our basal reader, she had written a letter explaining that her story ideas came from everyday activities like washing the dishes and everyday objects like a hat. She had a box of items that she would look through to spark story ideas. Seriously? We can do this in our classroom for our students! Not only was it easy to prep, it was easy to explain and implement. I gathered some items that might lead to adventure stories (old camera, old phone, map, glasses, pirate doubloon, silk rose, stuffed animals, hourglass, etc.) I modeled how I chose the plastic gold coin and it gave me the idea for a time-traveling adventure. I read my fictional story about a boy who found this unique coin while walking to school. As he picked it up, he began to feel dizzy as if he were falling . . . into another world! If they wanted, students were encouraged to select an object from the tub and bring it to their workspace for inspiration while writing. Sometimes teams of 2-3 worked on a collaborative story. Other times, the students sat side-by-side to share an item but compose their own individual pieces. And occasionally, kids would want to incorporate more than one object from the basket. It was all ok by me! As long as they were motivated and writing, I was on board. I was pleased as punch when students finished their first stories and asked to get another object and begin a new one. Music to my ears!