Tips for Using Quick Writes in the Classroom

A quick write is a 3-5 minute time where students write in response to something. This is a writing that is not graded and encourages students to write the whole time and down anything that comes to mind. Quick writers can be used in any content area and bonus is that several tasks involved in quick writes have high effect sizes (think discussion, reflection, integrating prior knowledge, transfer of strategies, summarizing, elaboration, feedback)!

Writing can be a daunting task for students, but quick writers help lighten the stress. The benefits of quick writes are huge. Quick writes include a bunch of John Hattie's influences with high effect size. Students think critically, build a collection of writing topics, share their voice, build writing fluency and increase of writing volume, share raw emotions, and gain confidence. Quick writes help build a community among one other.  

Quick writes also help you as the teacher know more about your students as writers and personally. 

Here are a few tips I have leaned over the last year:

Tip #1. Plan quick writes a head of time. 

I use Google Slides and house all my quick write ideas together. It helps me know what I have already done, and then I have each one planned out ready to go. What you plan, is what gets done!

Tip #2: Use mentor texts, graphics, or videos to spark student's excitement and keep them engaged. Know your students and use different media and ideas that are relevant to them. A few other ways to implement quick writes into all content areas; use them as a pre-assessment/Brain dump, summary or reflection on the lesson, making predictions and hypothesis, or exit tickets. 

Be creative!

Example of a quick write before or after a read aloud

Example of an image

Tip #3: Allow students some TALK time. 

Talking before writing gives them a chance to think out loud, hear the thoughts of their peers, and helps them feel more confident for the writing. After the first 3-5 minutes, students can talk again and share their quick write. They can also identify Focus Phrases or other writing skills.  Get them up and moving and talking to different people. This will help spark new ideas for the students, help them to add more details, and begin to build connections with one another.

Tip #4: Write with the students, yes YOU.

When you set the timer for a quick write, sit down and complete the quick write with your students. Students love seeing authentic writing from you, seeing where you had difficulty, and hearing what you had to write. This is where your classroom community becomes stronger as well. If you don't have one already create and decorate a Writer's Notebook for you.

Tip #5: CELEBRATE their quick writes.

Allow students to share their voice and ideas. Give positive feedback, highlight students who are trying hard, and reinforce the skills you are teaching in reading and writing. These quick writes are often are the beginning of a great story!

I hope you will give your students a chance to shine, grow, and share their voice through quick writes. They are such a powerful tool! I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions on using quick writes in the classroom.