Want to know the secret to how to motivate your students to write? You may not like what I am going to say but it really works. It is the one strategy that I tell ALL teachers that they MUST do in order to get their students, at any age and in any grade, to write. Here it is… you must be a writer yourself.
Oh, I hear the groans and moans already. Believe it or not there are many teachers who despise writing, in fact, they barely write themselves but are expected to teach writing. I’ve brought up this topic before and heard from teachers that they barely share their own writing with their students or have never written in front of their students. They have used other people’s writing to model writing, like mentor texts or excerpts from books or from “real” writers, but not from themselves. Why is this?
-
Because writing is challenging. Many people, including adults, struggle with writing. It’s a tedious and time-consuming task. And we know how limited a teacher’s time is. Isn’t it easier to find a mentor text or find someone else’s writing to share with your students? You could find any type of writing at your fingertips on the internet or in a book.
-
For some teachers writing is boring. (Hands over my eyes, ears, and mouth!) Some feel like writing is a waste of time, or just plain BORING!!! They’d rather walk on glass barefoot than sit down and write. I bet you can relate to your reluctant writers then, huh?
-
Writing is personal and emotional. Writing brings about a lot of feelings and emotions and some teachers are not willing to put themselves out there in this vulnerable state to their students or to anyone for that matter.
-
Sharing your writing is scary. You don’t think you are a good writer. You don’t think that anyone will think your writing is any good so why share it. You think others will laugh at your writing or criticize it.
Do any of these sound familiar? Well, let me change your mind or at least try to. Writing in front of your students and sharing your own writing is powerful. When students see you model the process and they become part of the process that is where all the writing magic happens. It is here that you teach your students how to write like writers. And you have to be an active writer in order to teach writing. This is important for your writers.
And I promise you that your students will not laugh at your writing. They will be your biggest fans and your best critics. Sharing your writing will help you become a better writer. How?
-
You’ll get some great feedback (yes, even the little ones give great feedback) They make my heart smile every time I share my writing. I shared a piece about a person who really matters to me, my grandmother. When I asked for feedback from my students (my personal writing coaches), I’ll never forget the little boy in my class who raised his hand and said, “Your story about your grandmother warmed my heart.” That had to be the best feedback I ever got. He got it, he felt my writing. What I wrote touched his little heart. Even if my writing piece was not even that “good,” my students think I am the best writer.
-
Your confidence will grow. The more you write the better the writer you will become and your students will be learning through the process. It’s a win-win for both teacher and students.
Do you want to be a better writer but don’t know how? Read my book review for Be a Better Writer by Steve Peha here. You’ll learn easy and effective strategies and techniques that you could immediately use to become a better writer and then teach your students so they could become better writers. Another win-win!!
Also if you missed it, read 4 Ways to Get Your Students to Love Writing here.
So now that the secret is out of the bag, give it a try…write more and share your writing with your students. Being a writer yourself will create better writers.
Need support? Visit the Forums to ask questions, share ideas and products. There are so many fantastic ideas and products posted there so be sure to check them out.
Be sure to visit Shop for resources to support your classroom and join For The Love of Teachers email list to receive the latest and greatest updates, posts and receive monthly freebies!!
Happy Writing!
If you like it, then pin it!
Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
I’m naturally shy and quiet (at first) and I think writing helps me in so many ways. In high school, I worked on the school newspaper and it was an outlet for me to express myself. As a matter of fact, it’s easier for me to express myself in writing than in speaking, lol 😉
I agree that writing helps so many people in so many different ways, especially as an outlet or a means of expressing oneself. I think a lot of people feel the same way that writing is easier than speaking. It’s all about the writing process that allows one to formulate their ideas with precision and meaning. At least we hope so. Some people read between the lines and may take what’s written out of context. Nevertheless, writing is a beautiful form of communication when done eloquently. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Writing was always my favorite in school, love reading these tips to help my nieces and nephews develop the passion as well!
Me too! I’m glad this can help you help your nieces and nephews! That’s awesome! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Have been following your posts on this topic for a while now . Totally agree that writing practice by the teacher helps a lot in this case too.
Thank you for following and for always reading!!! I appreciate it! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
i totally agree with you but sometimes there are things that comes naturally to people and writing is part of it. am not a teacher and doesn’t have any interest in teaching, there was a time writing was one of the things i hate most in life but how i stated writing is what i dont know and am enjoying it.
Absolutely! Writing doesn’t come natural to some and that’s why it can be uncomfortable to do. When you write more and get some constructive criticism from readers, peers, students, friends or family, it gets easier! It’s all about finding your inner voice. I’m glad you are enjoying writing now. Sometimes it takes passion and purpose to bring out the writer inside you! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I absolutely agree with everything you said here. I remember being a student and struggling in everything mainly because I did not want to share. It took an amazing teacher to show me that it is okay to share and I ended up loving to do everything school wanted me to do.
I think it’s all about creating that safe and secure environment where students feel comfortable sharing their writing or other work. Having that confidence and positive feedback means the world to students. Thanks for reading and for sharing your experience!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Absolutely agree with you on this. A teacher should be capable of writing well to be able to teach writing. I learnt this from my teacher.
YES!!! I agree! I think there are teachers capable of writing but are reluctant to write in front of or for their students. Thanks for reading!!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Opening up and making your writing public, whether by blogging, or by sharing with students is so difficult. Writing inheritly feels private to me, maybe it’s because of journaling, or maybe it’s because I can be an introvert at times. Thank you for this reminder, and for sharing this with us.
It sure is and you’re right…writing is private. It’s often so personal and brings forth so many feelings and emotions which makes it hard to share with others. Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts!!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
writing can be such a chore for me too – i’ve always been so jealous of people who had the patience to journal! my sister is starting with her kids young & I think its great – maybe I just started out too late lol
I hear ya! The process is long and hard. Writing at a young age is always good. And try not to think of it as a chore but more of a creative outlet. Write for fun and see what happens! Thanks for reading!!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
You are so right… the little ones do give great feedback! I enjoy writing and I have witnessed so many non-lovers of writing turn into loving it! You have given some great tips and this is a reminder that although writing is complex with many components, the more we do it the easier and more natural it will become to us making us better writers! Thanks for sharing your insights!
Thank you Megan!!! Yes…well said! Writing is so complex and take a lot of time but like with anything, practice makes better. It’s not so easy putting your writing out there but getting constructive feedback makes us all better writers. Thanks for reading as always! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
You hit the nail on the head with this one. When you said “you are not going to like this”. I was intrigued. But you are right. Writing can be a chore.
I used to journal all the time when I was young. As a college student, my creativity was stifled. As a teacher, I am trying to keep my writing simple so I don’t overwhelm my students with too much craft. As a blogger, I am constantly seeing the correct terminology and choosing the “write” combinating of words to convey my message succintly.
But I must say, when I do sit down and model writing during “Write Aloud” my students are completely engaged…shouting out spelling patterns to help me sound out my words. They complete my sentences for me. They LOVE to watch me write.
Thank you for this simple reminder. It is just what I needed!
Writing can feel like a chore because it is a process. But every bit of writing you do is part of that process and will lead to the end goal. I’m so glad you write with your firsties and that they are engaged and love watching you write. Writing needs to be modeled daily, especially in the primary grades. Every time you write, show them one thing that they could try to do in their won writing. This helps them to think like a writer and to try new strategies while being creative. Thank you for your thoughtful comment as always. Your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher. Thank you for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers