The key in motivating students towards writing is to plan activities that will capture the curiosity of students and that will be fun. The following activities have been tried by students and have high motivational value.
Three Minute Writing
Students are given a specific topic or title to write about with the understanding that they only have three minutes in which to write about it. The fun is in the time limit and in the interesting paragraphs that students develop. After the students have had some experience with writing within a time limit, their writing will become more and more creative.
You're Not Yourself Today
In this writing activity students are told they are not themselves today, they will become someone else. Prepare index cards with different roles the students are to pretend to be in their stories. Example: "You're not yourself today.... you are a pirate looking for treasure on a deserted island."
To make this activity even more fun, number each index card and have students choose a number at random to see which card they will be writing about.
Pass a Story
Pass a story involves a piece of paper with an opening sentence or paragraph on it. Students add a few more sentences in the time allotted and then pass it on to another student. Students continue adding to the story until everyone has had an opportunity to write a part of the story. Reading the final story aloud is the highlight of the activity.
Dear Teacher
Students like creating things for their teachers. Give them the opportunity to use writing skills to create a letter for their teacher. A specific topic could be assigned, such as classroom suggestions, something special about me,etc. Students could also write to a teacher in another classroom or to the principal.
Roll a Story
A numbered die is used to correspond with titles of possible stories to write. Students roll the die to determine which title they will be using for their creative story.
Grab Bags
Three paper lunch bags will be needed for this activity. Label each with the following:
- setting
- character
- plot
Fill each paper bag with index cards, each containing an example of the above mentioned items. Put these cards into the corresponding bags. Students must choose a setting card, a character card and a plot card without looking in the bag to form the basis for their story.
Did You Know?
Did You Know allows students to become the experts about a specific topic. Students should choose something they are very knowledgeable about. The purpose in this exercise is to inform and perhaps even impress fellow classmates in their writing. An oral reading of the informative paragraphs is exciting for students.
Comments Please
This is an activity that can be implemented after students have had time to polish their stories beyond the first draft stage. Students will read their work aloud and classmates will be given the opportunity to give positive comments about the work. Only positive comments and questions for clarification of what was written may be stated. This helps all students to feel a part of the sometimes private writing experience of other students, and also gives feedback to the writer.
A Teacher's Example
Perhaps the best activity to inspire writing in students is for the teacher to write when the students are writing, and to read what was written aloud. This gives a model of writing for students to follow. Students will see that their teacher can participate with enthusiasm as well.
Reading excellent literature and well-written articles, of course, is necessary. Students will not know what excellent writing is unless they are exposed to it. Just a few lines of the type of writing the class will be working on is usually enough to inspire.
Variety, combined with a little humor and excitement is the winning combination in planning writing activities that students will enjoy. Activities should be those which the teacher finds fun and interesting as well. Students will only be as excited about learning as their teacher is.
