Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Workshop Wednesday - Motivating Students to Write and Teacher Appreciation Sale!

Yay!  It’s Wednesday.  Friday would be better, but Wednesday is better than a Monday!! 
I am linking up with Jessica at Ideas by Jivey for Workshop Wednesdays.  Today we are sharing what we do to keep our students motivated about writing.
An assortment of materials have been the key to motivating my fourth graders to keep going.  We use all sorts of fun papers and writing tools in my classroom - twistable crayons, colored pencils, any color ink pens, fancy pencils, markers, and their all time favorite gel pens. 
When students complete their weekly writing assignment* I allow them to do a free write from any of the writing genres I have all ready taught them.  They are allowed to use one of the writing tools that I mentioned above. 
(I do require them to conference with me on their writing assignment each week.  This definitely helps me to learn about them as a writer, help them improve their craft, and holds them accountable to the assignment.)
 
One thing that I have learned that has been invaluable don’t put everything out at once for student use.  I change the writing tools and papers each month.  I always make sure there are at least three types of writing tools and yes; they are repeated throughout the year.  Anytime I can throw in paper related to a holiday or something we are studying in class, I do it.
What type of writing tools do your students use in your room?  What are their favorites?  I would love to hear from you, so I can add some new tools to my collection.
Don’t forget to stop by Jivey’s blog and learn about other ways to keep your students motivated to write! 
I would also love it if you would stop by my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  I have quite a few products and freebies geared towards grades 3 5.
 In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, there is a site wide sale. All of my products are 20% off until midnight tonight, and TPT will offer an extra 10%.  Click on the button below to visit my store.
 If you purchase three or more items, email me with your TPT user name and I will send you a product, $3.00 or less, of your choice.
Enjoy your Wednesday!

10 comments :

  1. This is an awesome post! Great ideas! Thanks for linking up! :)
    Jivey
    ideas by jivey


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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jivey! This is an awesome linky party that I love participating in each week.

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  2. You are so right about not putting everything out at once! I guess I knew that but had never really put that knowledge to good use. Wow! You are so right! Must keep this in mind!
    Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners

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    1. I found that the supplies were misused or disappeared when the students had too many choices. Three has been a good number for my students. When they tell me they miss using a certain writing tool, my reply is always it will be back in a month or two. Thanks for stopping by, Brandee.

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  3. Your drawers look so organized! I love the idea of twistable crayons to illustrate...something different from the regular crayon/pencils.

    :) Kaitlyn
    Smiles and Sunshine

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    1. Hello Kaitlyn! I spend a lot of time, too much time, reorganizing my classroom each summer. I am always trying to make things better. I like the twistable crayons because they don't break so easily. Also, I don't find tiny pieces of paper all over my floor from where they have pulled off the crayon wrapping.

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  4. There is a teacher at my school who has her kids REVISE using the fun pens. It's a great way to get them revising/editing and to see what was changed. Everyone loves fun pens! Thanks for the ideas!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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    1. Hi Jennifer! The fifth grade teacher at my school uses colored pens for revising and editing, too. She says it motivates the students to make revisions. The power of colored ink!

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  5. Hi! I just found your blog - I love the design - it's super cute! I had a writing station like yours when I taught the younger grades and my kids loved it! I agree - switch up tools rather than leave them all there. My kids loved stamps! If you have any scrapbooking stamps, or even decorative ones, they may be a hit at this station!
    I'm your newest follower!
    DoodlingAroundin6thGrade

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    1. Hi Jenn! I am pleased that you found my blog and decided to come for a visit. When I taught second grade I had a lot of the letter stamps and my students loved that activity. This year my fourth graders love using "Make a Story Cards".

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