(1)  "Instant Ancestors  -- A Writing Activity
        Antique or junk stores often have boxes of old photographs.  I have
collected a "class set" of old photographs from the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
 Students select a photograph that appeals to them and write a story or poem
from the point of view of that "character."  The results have been wonderful:
 detailed, imaginative, and vivid.  Even students who are somewhat reluctant
to keep a journal for themselves seem to have no problem writing a journal
entry from the point of view of this stranger in the photo.  

(2)  Abstract Art
        I have collected colorful calendars that feature the work of abstract
artists, and I use this art in class to encourage students to avoid cliches
and create interesting language.  Sometimes, the resulting freewriting can
also be turned into a poem or story.  
        Students are given one of the calendar pictures and asked to describe it
during a five or ten minute freewriting.  If I see pens stop moving, I'll
quietly offer a prompt, "This picture reminds me of..."  or "This picture
makes me feel...."  I end the freewriting by asking students to start a
sentence with "This picture..." and then add as many verbs as they can
without censoring themselves.