Over the weekend, our teacher Slicing crew brainstormed, via email, ways to keep our student Slicers writing. They’re sort of on their own with this project. It was a voluntary project with limited school time to devote to the endeavor.
I saw another teacher post a basket of prizes she put together for her students. So I did the obvious thing and turned to Amazon and bought a variety of colored journals and a selection of fun pens. Flare, InkJoy, metallic gel pens. Now, how to spread the word to the kids?
Our technology teacher and fifth grade teachers have told me kids don’t really check into Google Classroom or their email regularly. This is all new to me…when I was a classroom teacher we never had access to all of these technological options. “I can announce it on SSN (our school television program that broadcasts live every morning),” our technology teacher volunteers. We decide to have the kids come to the lab for a few minutes during recess, for a special announcement.
The day got busy and I forgot all about the announcement…until I heard some kids pass by my room saying, “I wonder what the announcement is!”
I made my way down to the lab just as the first kids were beginning to gather. Soon there was a crowd. I began by telling them how fun it has been to read their writing. I shared that we were adding in prizes, one chance for every post they made.
“I couldn’t write yesterday. Can I write two tonight?”
“I forgot my password, can I write five to catch up?”
“I don’t even have a blog yet. Can I join?”
We had their attention.
“You guys,” I interrupted. “You know, it’s not all about the prizes.” I was suddenly worried they would think the notebooks and pens were lame.
I then added on what I thought was the most exciting part. “We are actually going to be sharing your posts with all the teachers today at our faculty meeting. We are hoping that this will inspire them to write and that they’ll share with their students and they’ll be inspired too.”
I looked out at our little Slicing crew. Their smiles told me that they were also excited about their writing going even more public.
An audience. All the prize these writers really need.
Teachers reading and commenting on our students’ Slices of Life.
You too can read some of their pieces here.
Where There Is Joy 
Totally agree with those students. At first, the idea of a book at the end of the month sounded good, but it wasn’t the book that kept me going. It was the audience, the community, and the developing mindset of a writer. I LOVE that this helps develop those mindsets so early in their lives.
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Sharing the student writing is a great way to share the love of what is happening. Gel pens would be a huge hit with my kids, although I often find the pinks and yellows to be more like near-invisible ink.
🙂
Kevin
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What an exciting time for these young writers, and a powerful experience for the teachers too.
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Sometimes I think we we tell the students we’ve noticed and shared they’re surprised And pleased.
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So exciting. I loved looking at some of their work. Audience is huge…something I should emphasize with my students more.
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“An audience–all the prizes they need.” That is so true. We teachers need to remember that! Thanks for sharing this slice. Your school seems like a true learning community.
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When I was in the classroom I also had prizes to hand out for those who Sliced the whole month. It hooked them and then the writing and sharing keep them. Although I have to say my kids were very excited when they got a journal or a special pen. Some times it is the little things that keep us going. Thanks for sharing what you are doing with kids and teachers.
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So true! Your slice comes together beautifully with that last line. Your first few paragraphs give the necessary back story to the work. Piece comes to life with the kids quotes. You can hear their voices jump off the page! Then you wrap it all up and bring it back to a reason we write – audiences! Thanks for sharing!
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I think it’s great that you’re reflecting on this so that you’re noticing what they need. It’s so true that by the end of this piece, just like the end of the session yesterday, the real prize is the connections. What writers want is to know that someone read their words, understood, and was moved to respond. Your writing always makes people respond.
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I love how you ended your slice! An audience!
This reminds me that my second graders truly love being in the “Author Chair” and I need to ensure I give my students plenty of opportunities to share!
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As it turns out, an audience is the prize I am looking for, too. Or maybe, more truthfully, a community. Also, I am INSPIRED by the pictures of all those teachers reading student blogs. Wow – just wow! I am already wondering how I can create something like that in our high school…
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