Work on Writing Ideas + Freebies

Last summer I entered the blogging world and was excited/overwhelmed by all the ideas, inspirations, and resources out there!!  It was then that I learned about Daily 5, Cafe, and The Book Whisperer.  I read those 3 books last summer and they changed my life and my way of teaching!

Now, I have shared in other posts that I don't do Daily 5 exactly the way the book says.  I make it work for my kids and their needs and stay as close to it as I can (I'll share my set up more in a later post).  As wonderful as Daily 5 has been, in the beginning I struggled to find activities for my kiddos, the fourthsies, (yep, a word people).  There are TONS of things for k-2 and even 3 (and I have used those) but still had a hard time with things for 4th and up.  So, as the need arose, I made different things for my kids.

Now, before I share about some of my Work on Writing activities I have to say......one thing I did exactly by the Daily 5 book was the "training" of each of the Daily 5 areas.  I used that book as my script and followed it word for word.  If you do that, your life will be a joy.  I could not get over how hard my kiddos worked and how little the interruptions were (hardly any) because of the training/building stamina routines you do with the kids.  So important to do that part right.  It sets the tone for the year with your Daily 5.

Having said that, I thought today I would share about a few of my Work on Writing activities.  I have all of my Work on Writing activities in the same area, set up on a table so the kids know exactly where to go.  Last week I shared some of my Shared Writing Journal Covers.  This is one of the options my kiddos have during Work on Writing and they LOVE it.  I keep all the journals together in a tray.  They pick a journal and go and write until time is up.  When I first read Daily 5, I thought....there is NO WAY they will do this the whole time.......people, THEY DO!!!!   If you take the time to "train" them and build their stamina, they do it:D  It makes for a very happy classroom!

Another option I give them are my Story Stones (you can read more about those here).  They love this too!  I keep these little guys in a basket on the same table.  They grab a stone and off they go to a corner to creatively write:)  Let me warn you, these little stones are addictive once you start making them....too fun:)

Another activity that has become very popular in my classroom for Work on Writing is my Story Starters.  I have created several sets of them.  I print, laminate, and cut them out and then set them in a little bucket.  The kids just go, choose one and then go find a spot to write in their journals.  Using these, I don't hear the famous....."but Mrs. Eiken, I don't know what to write about."  I have to say, I didn't hear that ONE time last year.  I have several sets of Story Starters in my stores, some free and some not.  Today I am sharing a freebie of story starters:

There are 12 different fun story starters to spark creativity in the minds of your littles:)  If you would like a copy, click HERE.  I would super <3 it if when you were at my shop, you would fave my shop:))

Here are links to the other free story starter sets.

Fall Story Starters

Silly Story Starters

These are just a few of the things I use during Work on Writing.  I do try to keep things "fresh" throughout the year.  Introducing new activities every once in a while and sometimes even taking away some and then bringing them back later.  The kids don't get bored with the same old, same old, when you change it up.

This year I really want to incorporate some more technology along with my Work on Writing.  I did that with Word Work last year but have some fun ideas for Work in Writing I will share later.  Hoping these freebies can help add to your Work on Writing or writing workshops in your classrooms!

Have a blessed weekend!