Free Write and a Freebie

Over the past four school days my students have been working on free writing.  Students are able to write about anything they want as long as it is school appropriate.  We are all enjoying every minute of this exercise.  Every day our writer’s workshop begins with free write time.  I set the timer for six minutes and each student must write for the whole entire time.  When I feel the students are ready I will add on another minute.  Our goal is to write for 10 minutes straight by the end of February.  Our free write time does so much for our class.  Not only does free write time give students the choice in what to write about it also gives them a space that is free from grading and teacher’s pen marks.  It really takes the pressure off students and gets even my most reluctant writers excited about writing.  Later on down the road students are able to return to their free writing and edit these pieces.  I am really looking forward to the wonderful writing that will come from this time! I know my students are excited as well.  I would highly recommend implementing free write time in your classrooms! 

Before we started our free write process my students and I created a Free Write Anchor Chart.  This anchor chart includes both student and teacher expectations.  This way there are no questions to what is expected each time we have free write time.  I often review this chart with students and even ask students to model both the appropriate and inappropriate way to use their free write time.  This is a great way to reinforce expectations.  I have included our class free write anchor chart as a freebie! Just click the image above! This poster is sized for 17 x 11 Ledger size paper.