As a high school English teacher, I understand the challenges you face when it comes to nurturing the writing skills of your middle grades and high school students. We often KNOW what good writing looks like, but how do we teach our students how to write?
Writing is a fundamental skill that extends far beyond the classroom walls. It can empower our students to express their thoughts, articulate their ideas, and unleash their creative potential.
However, we know that motivating and guiding adolescents to develop effective writing habits can be a…. challenge.
I am here to offer you a helping hand by sharing with you invaluable tips through a teaching writing course designed to inspire and engage your students through a FREE 6-week email course with weekly actionable tips and resources for your classroom.
This FREE email course may be the perfect fit for you if you have found yourself wondering:
How can I help my students develop their ideas more effectively?
How can I teach my students to write more clearly and concisely?
How can I encourage my students to be more creative and expressive in their writing?
What resources or tools can I use to support my teaching of writing?
How can I assess my students’ writing skills in a fair and accurate way?
What can I do to motivate students who are struggling with writing or lack confidence in their abilities?
How can I incorporate writing into my curriculum in a meaningful and engaging way?
Week 1- Organization and structure
Students should be able to organize their writing in a logical and coherent way, using effective paragraphing, transitions, and other organizational tools.
I know this. You know this.
But, somehow, some of our students haven’t quite figured it out.
Or, maybe you want their writing to become a little more sophisticated and they need the structure.
The Jane Schaffer Writing Program is a method of teaching writing that focuses on a systematic approach to organizing and writing paragraphs that build into essays. The method emphasizes the use of concrete details and commentary to support a thesis statement or argument.
In the first week, I break down this method and provide you with resources that any level of writer can start using today to improve!
Week 2- Grading faster AND with more feedback
Have you found yourself spending hours grading assignments and feeling frustrated with the lack of consistency in student grading?
2-point rubrics may be the solution you’ve been looking for! Here are just a few reasons why you should give them a try (and I will go into more detail with examples in my email series!):
- They simplify the grading process by focusing on only two levels of performance: meets expectations or does not meet expectations. This makes it easier to assess and provide feedback to students.
- They provide clarity to students about what is expected of them in their assignments. By clearly outlining the criteria for success, students can better understand what they need to do to meet expectations.
- They can promote greater student engagement by encouraging self-reflection and goal-setting. When students understand what is expected of them, they are more likely to take ownership of their learning and work towards achieving the desired outcomes.
During this week, I will share how you can make your own 2-point rubrics as well as some ready-to-go ones you can try out!
Week 3- Narrative writing your students will LOVE
Have you noticed how little kids LOVE to create stories, but as they reach us in high school they seem to have lost this enthusiasm?
This week we discuss some of the reasons this is: lack of confidence, fear of criticism, and lack of motivation.
During this week of my free writing course, you will get to check out my top tips of how to engage your students’ senses for immersive writing experiences they will LOVE and have ideas pouring out of them! You will also see how you can seamlessly weave narrative writing into your instruction regularly to negate those fears.
“I didn’t know how much I liked writing until we did this.”
This is what one of my own 10th grade students said to me and it felt great to hear! If this sounds good to you, then this week’s information will be just what you need!
Week 4- Assessing narrative writing for student confidence
Remember how one of the biggest reasons for resistance in students is fear of criticism? This week will focus on how to make the process of feedback so positive that this fear becomes less and less. Providing constructive feedback is not just about pointing out mistakes but also about nurturing growth and fostering a supportive learning environment.
By incorporating activities such as peer feedback and self-reflection activities, students can learn from one another and develop a sense of ownership over their writing, reducing the fear of criticism and promoting a collaborative mindset.
Week 5 – Informational writing for the modern age
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, it has become imperative for teachers to make their informational writing instruction relevant to 21st-century learners. Gone are the days of static textbooks and one-size-fits-all assignments. To engage and prepare students for the world beyond the classroom, teachers must embrace the tools, technologies, and real-world contexts that define our modern era.
Relevance in informational writing instruction cultivates student motivation and interest. By connecting the content to real-world examples, current events, and contemporary issues, teachers can tap into the intrinsic curiosity of 21st-century learners. When our students see the direct applicability of their writing skills in their lives, they become more invested in the learning process, leading to increased engagement, active participation, and ultimately, improved outcomes.
That is exactly what we will be tackling in week 5 of this instructional series!
Week 6- Project Based Learning
Week 6 continues to build on the ideas of week 5 with a closer look at project-based learning and inquiry-based learning for the secondary classroom.
To make informational writing instruction relevant to 21st-century learners, teachers can incorporate project-based learning, where students tackle real-world problems, conduct research, and produce high-quality written pieces that offer practical solutions. They can also encourage students to explore various forms of multimedia, including infographics, videos, and podcasts, as alternative ways to present information and engage a broader audience.
Not only does it help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity – skills that are highly valued by colleges and employers – but it’s also more engaging for students and allows them to apply their learning in a meaningful way.
During this week, I will also share some of my favorite project-based learning units (like this one!).
Learn more today!
If you are ready to take your writing instruction to a whole other level, receive weekly actionable tips, and resources to implement right away- click here to join the FREE 6-week email course. The even better part of this email course is that you can save each email to refer back to anytime you need! On top of that; any time you want ask questions about the content, all you have to do is hit REPLY!
So, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, join our free email series on writing instruction. Together, let’s take your teaching to new heights and empower your students to become exceptional writers. Sign up now and let the writing adventures begin!
Around the World With Mrs. C 