Keeping Them Motivated To Write

This year, my students are struggling with writing.  Most of them do not enjoy writing, but I think for many of them it is because they struggle with it.   With the holidays approaching and interest in school dwindling in favor of all things snow and Santa, I wanted to find ways to make writing exciting in hopes that the excitement will carry over into the new year.
A few of these things we have done on the SeeSaw app.  SeeSaw is a digital portfolio for students.  I've been using it a lot during our reading center time because it is high interest and gives them practice with typing.

I uploaded prompts that I created in Pages for students to make a copy of and add their writing. These were highly motivating and quick prep for me.  They could easily be printed for students to handwrite as well!

"I want candy and action figures".  He then illustrated in the stocking.

"I think there's a baby dolphin in the box."

I purchased magnetic tins from the Target Dollar Spot (Bullseye's Playground) for $3.  I purchased 2 tins, and two students shared the tin with each student making a scene on his/her side of the tin. Students created a scene with the magnets, took a photo then typed about their scene in SeeSaw.  This could again be done with paper and pencil by having students draw their scene and write about it or by taking a photo of the scene and printing it.  After we did this as a reading center, I added them to my writing center, and students have enjoyed using them over the last few weeks.

"The fox is in front of the tree.  The elf and Santa Claus are on the mountain.  The gingerbread man is happy."

Students created a cutout cookie in the app Cookie Doodle.  This app is blast as you choose your cookie flavor, mix the dough, roll it out, bake and decorate your cookie- all without the mess!  As students created their cookies, I printed them on our color printer.  Students then glued them to writing paper and wrote about their cookies.

"My cookie is a reindeer.  It looks yummy!."

Many of my students have been talking about having an elf visit their home, so I decided to use that topic to get them writing.  I created a quick prompt in pages then simply printed it for them to write about.  You can download this Freebie here.

"To be a elf, you have to have a good hiding place."

This is my second year asking students and their families to share their traditions with our class.  I send this freebie I found home with students over Thanksgiving break and have it due the following week.  I send it again the week after Thanksgiving with those who have not returned it because I know breaks can be hectic.  For those who don't return it, I sit down and do it with them the best I can.  

I love hearing what families do for the holidays and listening to the kids compare their experiences and traditions.  Students use the graphic organizer paper to fill in a present we make and display in our classroom.  The present is a 12 x 12 piece of construction paper with a 1" strip in each direction and a bow.  I work with them during centers to complete these.  One item goes in each section of the present.  Students share their completed present with the class one at a time.  

"We eat ham, pie and cookies.  I sing Santa is Coming to Town.  We play in the snow.  We have a gift exchange."

Finally, we have really enjoyed drawing over the last month.  We had illustrator, Steve Harpster, visit our building, so kids have been motivated to draw.  We've done some directed drawings, and my students really enjoyed making these elves.  I thought this made a great little writing project.  

"I see a elf.  It is a girl.  She likes to exercise.  Her name is Kalee.  She has a pet.  She has a pink shirt."

My students have seemed to enjoy these activities and there have not been as many complains about writing.  I'm thinking about ways to keep this excitement and motivation going into the new year.  I hope you got a few ideas for writing in your classroom too!  Have a great week!