Lesson Plans To Promote Writing

 

At the beginning of the school year I always look forward to meeting my new students, and I love to do so through our writer's notebooks. As enthusiastic as I am to begin our writing journey, I can't help but anticipate the resounding "ughh" that will surely be the response as I introduce the first writing activity. The majority of students that walk into my class have a negative view of writing and their role as writers. It then becomes my primary objective to change both students' view of writing, as well as their role as writers.

One instructional tool I use is the writer's notebook. I believe writer's notebooks, or journals, can be the start of motivating students to write.  The organizational strategies and lesson ideas I rely on in order to complete this task come from Aimee Buckner's book "Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook." This resource is a collection of activities that motivates students not only to begin writing, but also makes a writer's notebook a part of a daily routine. I find that as students begin to work in their writer's notebooks their attitude about writing becomes more positive. Their writing skills improve as well because many of Buckner's strategies allow students to write from personal experience. 

In my classroom, the writer's notebooks are the spring board for later writing. The notebook is a safe place for students to collect ideas, discuss personal issues or concerns, write letters, make lists, organize ideas, and try out new writing strategies. Students begin by numbering the pages of a single subject notebook, as well as dividing the notebook into three sections: ideas, strategies, and journal entries. After the class has numbered and divided their notebooks, the writing begins. Buckner outlines many activities to collect ideas for writing. This is where I begin.  I have students complete activities such as creating a timeline of their lives, creating lists of likes and dislikes, and general observations about the world. Another place I have students go to collect ideas is the Internet. One website I have my students visit is author Ralph Fletcher's Tips for Writers. 

One of the main things I try to impress on my students is the the fact that they are writers with something important to say. The writer's notebook provides the groundwork for that philosophy. Students choose what they want to write, and in doing so, motivation increases. When students come to believe their writing is important, they are more willing to take risks, and use new strategies to enhance their writing. Although I am a believer in the power of the writer's notebook in transforming student writing and student attitudes toward writing, there are many other lesson ideas that motivate students to write. The following lessons are excellent examples of motivating activities that will engage students in writing.

Writer's Notebook Lesson Plans:

What a Pair! A Cross-Grade Writing Activity: In this lesson, students conduct an interview with younger students (e.g., middle school students interview primary students) in order to gather biographical information to write and create a storybook. The interviewee is the main character in the story, and it is the interviewer's job to utilize the biographical information into a creative writing story. Once the books have been completed the older students share the finished product with the younger students.

Writing a Composition without a Pen: Ever have a student that always thought writing was boring no matter what you planned? This writing lesson incorporates technology and a presentation into the finished product. Students interview a classmate in order to write an essay and deliver a speech about the interviewee. Graphs, charts, and other technological devices can be used in the presentation of the information.

Leading into Good Writing: In this lesson, students learn about and study leads from other literary works. Students then create their own lead to share with the class. An addition that can be made to this lesson is to have students keep a collection of leads for future writing ideas and inspiration.

Write On: After students have studied climate change and its effects on our environment, students write a letter to a newspaper or politician that reflects their personal concerns and opinions. This lesson is a great example of students using personal experiences or beliefs to motivate writing. The structure of this lesson can be used with any topic, and can be used to write to anyone.