#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Paul, 5th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois.
(Side Note: We use @WritingCityK5 in our classroom & the kids and I both LOVE it! They tell me all the time how much they feel like they're learning writing skills! And I've seen major growth this year!)
#5thchat
A1 greatest challenge motivating writers was getting them to buy in to how important it was to be a writer. Also, getting them to persevere through the process. #5thchat
A1: I taught science so it was really a struggle to get kids to write in their journals. They loved the experiments but loathed writing about it. #5thchat
A1 - It used to be finding time to conference with everyone, but this year @WritingCityK5 does all the instruction while I conference! My kiddos watch the video, begin the assignment or free-write, and write down what was learned in that lesson in their notebooks. #5thchat
A1: They don't want to write! And I know I felt lacking in my writing skills to teach my Ss when I was in the classroom. The county writing prompts we were required to write just got tossed as soon as kids moved to next grade! What was the point? #5thchat
Mariah from KS... actually teach 7th ELA 😬 A1: S don’t think that they’re good at it or don’t have anything to write about. Maybe because they think there are specific rules (like 5 paragraphs,4-7 sentences). I try to get them beyond that lack of confidence. #5thChat
Natalija from Ontario #5thchat
A1: Just getting students to write their ideas and not worry about spelling, punctuation, etc. They seem to focus too much on immediate editing vs just getting their ideas down and editing later.
I would always get the "what should I write?" In fact my 19-year old step daughter is completing an assignment and asking the same thing right now!!! 😭 #5thchat
OK, so I just re-read the question. Let me try again (I need better reading comprehension!)...
Motivating my students to write is a challenge when they don't like the subject, when it's late in the school day & they're tired, or when they get distracted by their peers. #5thchat
A1 - It used to be finding time to conference with everyone, but this year @WritingCityK5 does all the instruction while I conference! My kiddos watch the video, begin the assignment or free-write, and write down what was learned in that lesson in their notebooks. #5thchat
A1: My greatest challenge is teaching students to revise and enhance their writing. Earlier in the year, they would ask the infamous question "Is this good enough?" #5thchat
I would always get the "what should I write?" In fact my 19-year old step daughter is completing an assignment and asking the same thing right now!!! 😭 #5thchat
I really need to learn about @WritingCityK5. It sounds like it has helped you to work wonders in your classroom. I must be behind the curve in this. #5thchat
A2 By 5th grade, many have already kind of boxed themselves in to being "not good at writing." Giving lots of opportunity to write on topics that interest them is key. #5thchat
A2: Writers are just like readers, they have to like what they are writing about. Let them choose topics they are interested in! Just like how they should choose books to read! #5thchat
A2 - After each conference, my Ss learn that incremental improvements lead to higher quality pieces that they are more proud of than ever before! As they "gain marbles" & become stronger writers, their confidence soars! So important b/c it motivates them to write more! #5thchat
A2: I think you create confident writers by giving them things they are interested about! Place-based learning is a great start to this! Getting students involved in their community or creating mock proposals for a fair or festival in town has helped students get... #5thchat
A2 teach the skills needed to become a writer, don't leave it up to chance. Confident writers love to write! Help them become confident. Confidence can be a powerful motivator. #5thchat
A2: I think we need to give them opportunities to write about different things and free write and creative write- not just answer prompts. Lots of affirmation while they’re writing and opps to share what they’ve written. I think it’s def important. #5thChat
A2 Giving them opportunitiesto write about things they are interested in. Buildings no one n their strengths and sharing their writing with others. #5thchat
A2: I do a lot of modeling and conferring with them in order to focus on ways to help them improve as an individual. My students also love hearing from professional writers from NBC Writers Speak. #5thchathttps://t.co/IRZ4oFUccC
Model, model, model! I let them see me make mistakes. Love the student writing samples to model everything we can do to make writing look and sound better too! @WritingCityK5#5thchat
It's been a true help for me! I've always been overwhelmed with all that comes with teaching writing. I want to help students with EVERY piece they write, but realistically can't do that. Now I meet with each child every third writing period & kids' writing is improving! #5thchat
Also, playing the long game...I've learned that my feedback and teaching take root long after the lesson...just constant repetition and reinforcement. #5thchat
A.2 If they don't feel confident in their writing they definitely won't be motivated to write. My Ss write everyday to hopefully build their confidence. #5thchat
A2: By giving them lots of opportunities (and choice) to practice their craft. Also, giving them the choice how they share their writing (with just the teacher, with a peer, with a family member, etc.), depending on the purpose for writing #5thchat
A2: I do a lot of modeling and conferring with them in order to focus on ways to help them improve as an individual. My students also love hearing from professional writers from NBC Writers Speak. #5thchathttps://t.co/IRZ4oFUccC
A2 Pre-conferencing with my most hesitant. Taking notes on Post-its as they talk through a plan so they can move them around and write from them. Words that they struggle to spell go on other post-its or in the back of their journal for future reference. #5thchat
A.3 The more i research the more important it seems like choice in writing is for Ss. I don't give alot of choice because when I do I get blank looks and the comment "I don't know what to write." I need ideas! #5thchat
Choice is imperative...but too much choice and reluctant Ss won't know what to do, either. Some need to work within framework to get started...#5thchat
A3 Choice is crucial! When Ss are given choice in topics or genre they take ownership. Allow for free write time several times per week or more. Choices in publishing formats are important too! Motivate with movies, ebooks, blogs, etc. #5thchat
A3 - As I read through my students Google Docs filled with "Quick Writes" and "Practice Activities" I see how excited my students get when they get to the "Free Write" stage of the writing period! All of their passion for writing spews out of them in these stories! #5thchat
I like the idea of "tech" choice. Some Ss are more motivated with pen and paper and some are faster typists. I think that being a slow typist can really slow down processing! #5thchat
A3- I think providing student choices in writing is vital,it empowers them and gives them voice and choice. Its just like allowing choice in independent reading. Usually show a video to spur discussion, then offer 3 or 4 choices based on that video.#5thchat
Well said. I also have this issue with some of my students. It is with these students that their "choice" is limited to really one or two choices. It evolves when their confidence evolves as well. #5thchat
Choice is imperative! Without it, students are so disconnected from what they write! I have noticed that when students write about things they are interested in, their personality starts to shine through! I usually give them a general idea on what we are writing about #5thchat
A4: A huge difference! If Ss see their work being presented, they seem to pay attention to detail, and make sure it is the best they can do! I would like to team up with other 5th grade classes, and maybe have the Ss critique each other. Less stressful than a T. #5thchat
@WritingCityK5 gives the students plenty of opportunity to share their writing. I've found that to be motivating for the students plus it holds them accountable for getting something down on paper (or on the computer!) #5thchat
A4 If students have opportunities to write to an audience larger than their teacher/class, they're more motivated to write and proofread. There's a sense of purpose and they love feedback! #5thchat
A4: This is a tricky question. Reluctant writers may further shy away from writing by knowing their work will be shared with an audience. Why not give them a choice what, how, and to whom they will share? #5thchat
A4 The quality seems to increase with the prospect of an audience. They can choose their audience - 1 friend, a team of friends, whole class, or online to a discussion. #5thchat
A4 - Our blogs are intended for a wide audience & when I let them know I'll be tweeting out their projects or reflections, Ss put WAY more effort into what they write in the hopes that they'll get comments! Here's an old example with 17 comments: https://t.co/dcvTbx9t53#5thchat
Mostly- but I have a lot of kids that prefer to write on paper (at least to get ideas down). Some are slowed up by their keyboarding skills (lack of) #5thchat
A4: If they KNOW the audience - that's the absolute best! Not just a generic "kids like you" but the third grade classroom down the hall! So much more authentic! #5thchat
Writing to an audience gives the students a purpose. If you say to a student, "Write like you are going to change a person's life. Write like you are going to make an impact on those who are going to read it whether the emotion is sad, joyful, informative, etc." #5thchat
A4 Audience is a part of making writing authentic. Publishing to an audience matters to students. They are motivated to write more and put in more effort when they know that they will have an audience. That's why the "publishing carrot" is so important. #5thchat
Yes - it can be slow at first, but my kids were just commenting on how fast their typing speed has gotten over the year, due to being on computers so much (for the right reasons)! :) #5thchat They learn SO quickly!
A4- Audience is so important. I find it gives a "little nudge" to my reluctant writers. One example is we are writing to international penpals on @PenpalSchools right now,knowing someone else is waiting on their writing has been so motivating. #5thchat
Right - we just do authentic purposes on computers and just about all of the kids are cranking out writing pieces pretty quickly already at this point in the year! #5thchat
Paul, 5th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois.
(Side Note: We use @WritingCityK5 in our classroom & the kids and I both LOVE it! They tell me all the time how much they feel like they're learning writing skills! And I've seen major growth this year!)
#5thchat
A5: I wouldn't say grade every piece, but you must at least read it and make comments and give suggestions for edits. If you don't at least do that, Ss will think they did it for nothing! #5thchat
I had my kids writing so much, I didn't have time to grade everything. I always said I won't grade everything, but you never know what I'll grade! :) #5thchat
A5 It is not necessary to grade every piece of writing. This takes away the "fun" of writing. There should be many practice writing exercises and save the big ones for a score. Not to say Ss shouldn't score themselves along the way. #5thchat
I think it's important for students to get feedback. That doesn't necessarily mean from a teacher for EVERY piece of writing though. Parents, grandparents, volunteers, peers, etc. can provide a wealth of feedback and it's often more motivating. #5thchat
Ooh, @WritingCityK5 this is a tricky one and going to go way past the character count so bare with me! First when grading a students writing DITCH the red pen!! We associate the color red with bad! So try different colors as the first step. The next step I would say is.. #5thchat
A5- I don't think you should grade every piece of writing. More important to praise Ss efforts and insights. Conferencing with Ss is much more effective than grading. Grading stifles creativity and motivation.#5thchat
A5: I believe providing feedback and using their writing for conferences is more important than grading every piece of writing. Focusing on ways to improve their writing helps to foster that growth mindset! #5thchat
A5: None of my writing feedback to my Ss involves a grade. During conferences, Ss are always asked to make certain changes in order to improve their work & everyone's tasks are different based on readiness. For me, grades would just deflate or create overconfidence! #5thchat
A5 I don't use grades. I do give them a rubric with every writing project and give actionable feedback. When it's reduced to a number, it's hard to suss out what worked and what didn't. #5thchat
A5: Love this one! I would do the "flip." So randomly I would open a journal and flip 2-3 times. The page I would land on would get the comment. #5thchat
A5 I tell them when I'm going to score it. I also show them my writing journal where I have unfinished pieces, some that I've set aside for a time, and some that I finished and don't like. I always make edit/revision comments, and they can choose to publish or not. #5thchat
That's awesome that you show your students your writing in all stages- I think too often kids write a draft, turn it in, get a grade, and that's it. No revision, feedback, etc. #5thchat
I agree. Feedback is more meaningful for my kids. Most are excited to learn a new way to enhance their writing rather than learn what grade their paper received. #5thchat
A5: If I was graded after every new recipe I tried making, I would fail as a cook and would probably be discouraged from cooking again. Let students write without worrying about their mark. Provide timely feedback to help them improve is important. #5thchat
A6 - My students really enjoy adding in pictures and changing fonts & colors, but they've learned to do it in a very short amount of time that doesn't take away from their writing time (this is big change from 10 years ago!). This adds something to their motivation! #5thchat
A6 Absolutely! Kids love seeing their writing come to life. I don't think they need to publish every piece, but this is another place where we can give kids choices! #5thchat
Q5 somehow I don't think they should know until they are up there. It used to be species of fish when my daughter was younger. I think that hurt her. #5thchat
A6 Digital platform can help. Some may really struggle w/ handwriting and this can impede writing-keyboard works better for them. Others may find handwriting a better choice. Publishing options are abundant. Provide choices and you'll have motivated writers. CHOICE #5thchat
A6: YES!!!! Have your students at the end of the year bring forward one piece of writing they are most proud of and publish it! There is this company that sells blank books and students are able to write a book! They can keep these mementos for life! #5thchat
Get some fun writing templates from @meredithakers Writing doesn't always have to be a "5 paragraph essay" Fun ideas here to get kids to collaborate! https://t.co/ixEmBLnKAA#5thchat
A.6 My students do their writing on a google doc sometimes and they love adding pictures and using different fonts. I definitely have seen some students be more motivated using a digital platform. #5thchat
Some of my kiddos do raise the size of their font & honestly believe they're tricking me into believing they have more written than they do! I love letting them know I was one of many students who invented that practice back in the Stone Age! ;) #DeflatingButWorthIt#5thchat
A6- Using digital format is very motivating to my reluctant writers. We use Google Docs.Keep a digital writing portfolio so they can see their growth. Right now,Ss are writing poems in Google Docs,great for Social Emotional Learning.#5thchat
A6 If they want my comments/suggestions, they have to type and submit it. They save their favorites in their e-portfolios and can post them in our @Schoology course for others to see. Some of their faves they can put in @scratch and animate them. #5thchat
Hah! I changed fonts to the ones that took up more space, decreased margins, Made tons of paragraphs so I had to hit "Return" more! So many tricks to make it look like you wrote a ton! :) #5thchat
A7 Giving them a REAL issue to write about...Ss had to read about different real-world issues (zoos, plastic, etc). and then develop a position on the issue. Ss love it! #5thchat
A7 Finding something, a sentence, a word, a paragraph, in everyone's writing and sharing it with great enthusiasm with the class. Confidence boosted! #5thchat
A7 Best strategy I used was providing recorded writing lessons. Delivery model change! Gave me more time to help all students. Students had more time for practice & creative publishing. They wanted to do their best because they could publish as movies, ebooks, blogs #5thchat
I remember typing on a typewriter and cranking the knob to make make more space between the lines! Our teachers used to take out rulers to check!!! #5thchat 😂😂😂
A7 - Probably Collaborative Stories have been the most motivational (but not the highest quality). Sit in a circle of 4-5, everyone starts a story on a piece of paper, after 1-2 minutes, they pass the paper to their right & next kid continues it. No talking allowed! #5thchat
A7 Probably letting the Ss feel like they have some control...sitting on the floor, writing in pen, choosing a topic (sometimes with limitations)...#5thchat
A7 Best strategy I used was providing recorded writing lessons. Delivery model change! Gave me more time to help all students. Students had more time for practice & creative publishing. They wanted to do their best because they could publish as movies, ebooks, blogs #5thchat
A7- Best strategy is getting students inspired and connected to a writing topic. For students to see the "value" in writing as a method to cope and deal with the trauma in their lives,such as therapeutic journaling. #5thchat
The stories keep getting passed around until everyone has a chance to write part of each story. The last student to write has to "wrap it up" somehow. Lots of laughs. Kids can't tell me they don't love writing after one of these! (We also have story starters for them.) #5thchat
A7 - Probably Collaborative Stories have been the most motivational (but not the highest quality). Sit in a circle of 4-5, everyone starts a story on a piece of paper, after 1-2 minutes, they pass the paper to their right & next kid continues it. No talking allowed! #5thchat
A7: The best strategy is connecting to them! I tell them that at the beginning of my educational career, I was not a fan of writing. Now, I am writing a book and love trying to be creative in my writing! I also think giving them topics that are relatable is key! #5thchat
A7: My students are very engaged when we do a collaborative free writing task. Students have to rotate writing every other sentence or paragraph with their partner. #5thchat
A7 - Probably Collaborative Stories have been the most motivational (but not the highest quality). Sit in a circle of 4-5, everyone starts a story on a piece of paper, after 1-2 minutes, they pass the paper to their right & next kid continues it. No talking allowed! #5thchat
A7: I’m totally late 🙃 but wanted to share one of my successful motivational writing strategy: ...typing!!!
Somehow typing an essay vs. writing it by hand makes a world of a difference to my 5th grade peeps... 🤔 #5thChat
I do not grade every piece of writing, but sometimes provide my scholars with the choice or option to pick the piece(s) they want graded—choice helps them to reflect on the quality of their work! #5thchat
Q7: The two best strategies I have used is probably giving them free choice in their topics AND hyping up the writing process. Changing up what we're writing (ex. speeches, short stories, poetry, etc.) also helps #5thchat
For sure! If you get them to publish their story & share it on Twitter, I'll bet they'll want to write their own story next & share it on Twitter too! Might motivate them to write more carefully!?!?!? :) (I'm gonna try it! We'll pass the laptops around!) :) #5thchat
A7 - Probably Collaborative Stories have been the most motivational (but not the highest quality). Sit in a circle of 4-5, everyone starts a story on a piece of paper, after 1-2 minutes, they pass the paper to their right & next kid continues it. No talking allowed! #5thchat
The fun part of "No Talking" with this is the looks they give each other because they think the story has gotten so weird! Watch for those "eyes" they give each other - priceless! #5thchat
A8 Build confidence. Change your delivery model. Allow choice in writing. Choice for topic, let kids write about what is authentic, real to them. What matters to them. Proved a big choice in how they can publish pieces they write. This alone can be a huge motivator. #5thchat
A8 - Teach them to focus on improvement rather than perfection! Writing is one of those skills that even the most accomplished writers still have things to learn! Kids want instant gratification, and becoming a perfect writer isn't that! Point out the small victories! #5thchat
Not many words of wisdom- but I think teachers need to write more. (I know that's laughable because we're all short on time.) But, I know students become better writers when the teacher learns alongside their students. #5thchat
It depends on our writing purpose. If it's speeches, as a class we brainstorm topics, but the final decision is always the student's. If it's a free write, I usually give them 2-3 topics to choose from. #5thchat
A8: Realize that you are NOT ALONE. There is serious support out there, especially in your social media PLN-- just ask! We all have our specialties and we're not expected to be the best at everything ;) #5thchat
A8 Be patient with yourself and your writers. Write yourself. Let the Ss offere revision/edit suggestions. Reinforce that using mentor sentences, mentor texts is not stealing. Don't give up. #5thchat
A8 - Teach them to focus on improvement rather than perfection! Writing is one of those skills that even the most accomplished writers still have things to learn! Kids want instant gratification, and becoming a perfect writer isn't that! Point out the small victories! #5thchat
Amazing job tonight @WritingCityK5! Thanks so much for taking the time to moderate our chat!
Thanks to all who attended! I hope you will all join us next week when @BeckettHaight moderates (Topic is TBD).
#5thchat
