Encouraging Writing in the Classroom

This year I have started my 1st and 2nd graders on daily writing assignments.  Honestly, I was hesitant to start.  I was fearful that making the kids write everyday would end up with a nightmare of complaining, whining, and scribbling some junky, meaningless words down just to fill the square.  

I was wrong.  It turns out that journal writing has been a wonderful way to encourage students to find their voice, and discover the joys of writing.  They will find the perfect outlet to share their thoughts, feelings, and dreams.  At the same time they will become experts on how to construct a sentence, while their punctuation and spelling skills improve.  Very important for the teacher side of things.




Here is how:
Here are a few ideas to get you started:

First you will need a notebook, spiral or composition book for each student.  For younger kids, make sure you teach them to start at the beginning of their books and write on the next page each day.  Otherwise they will choose a random page and you will never find their stories.  Writing every day is essential in developing a healthy writing habit!

Set a requirement for how many sentences they have to write.  I started with 3 or 4, and plan to work up to 6-8 as they get more comfortable writing.

Respond.  Not always of course, there is not enough time in the day, but even just say “Wow that’s crazy!” to show that they really have an audience when they are writing.  (Another of my students likes to write a personal note to me every day, he eagerly looks for my response.  It is very sweet.)

Optional:  I like to correct spelling by writing the word correctly in the margins so I am not marking up their work, but they can reference the spelling for the next time.

Reward.  I use class Dojo and give a point for completing their story, or two if they work very hard.  

Make sure you have a variety of prompts that the students can relate to.  Include ideas from sharing thoughts, experiences, dreams, imagination, and fantasy.  

Here are a few prompts to get you started: Write about a time you were brave?
What is something you do not want to do? (One of my first graders put change diapers for this one, it was very cute!)
If you had lots of money what would you buy?
What makes you happy?
Write about a time you got really dirty.
Write about a hot air balloon ride.
What do you think it would be like to be blind?
What would you do if you were the king or queen?
What is something you should work harder at and why?
Write a story about your new pet. It can be any animal in the world.
Write about 3 things you like to do when you are quiet.
Write about going to the dentist.
Tell about a time you were hurt.
Write about learning to ride a bike.

As I am a planner, I went ahead and made up 170 prompts on cards so I won't have to think about it for the rest of the year!

Get them here:

Writing Prompts for the Year