Episode 77 Let Your Students be the Prompts

Getting Students to Write! Helping Elementary and Middle School teachers transform writing time

Writing Prompts- they can be cute but looks can be deceiving!

Yes, they have their place and may be a needed activity for our elementary and middle school students in order to prepare for testing or other situations, BUT

They should not be the only writing students are doing on a daily basis!

In this episode, I explain the limitations of prompts, such as their failure to foster independent writing skills and their inability to engage students meaningfully.

You will also hear practical strategies for transitioning away from using prompts, emphasizing the importance of teaching students to generate their own ideas and connect personally with their writing.

I suggest ways to scaffold learning while nurturing a classroom culture where students see themselves as writers.

Specific tips include:

• engaging students with different writing genres
• allowing them to abandon pieces that don't work
• and providing support where needed to build their confidence and skills

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:38 The Role of Writing Prompts

04:36 Limitations of Writing Prompts

07:54 Encouraging Independent Writing

12:32 Practical Steps to Move Away from Prompts

19:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education. Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction.

Teaching to Transform, LLC was started by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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