Elementary Teacher Tips (The 4 simplest ways to get students writing!)

From classroom experience, we know that getting younger students quickly to where they need to be in a digital environment and scaffolding their experience to be safe and productive can make the difference for a learning platform. Here are some practical ways you can set up Write About to make the most of the writing opportunities!

1: Bookmark your Custom Login Page

If students aren't using Google to sign in, you can still avoid them having to remember your Teacher Code and a Username by having your Custom Login Page bookmarked in their browser or a common landing page you use.

• Find your Login Page from your STUDENTS area:

• Students simply click their name/avatar, enter the basic password you set up, and click login! 

2: More Modeling = Less Moderation

Keeping up with approving every single Post and Comment if you are requiring Moderation for every student can be overwhelming.

• Scaffold publishing and commenting permissions by with the basic "I Do, We Do, You Do" approach during your first few weeks on the platform.
• Have your classes discuss Write About norms for what quality writing and commenting looks like, and have them find and produce models for both Posts and Comments during the first days. 

[See: Elementary Post Examples for student writing models] 

• TEACH students commenting strategies and show them the Commenting Tips Video/Poster 

• If you do want to use Moderation at the beginning, use a gradual release of control as students earn your trust for publishing and commenting. Have them hold each other accountable to community norms.

3: Pin Ideas for 1-click access to topics

From any Idea (created by you OR an Idea you found on Write About), you can use the PIN feature to quickly bookmark the Ideas that students will see when they sign in. 

 

• What you see from your Teacher Home will be what they see directly below their Drafts/Posts:

So, for example, when you have a specific literature response you want everyone to write about, it will be there 1 click away when they sign in. Or, if you want to give students choices focused around a certain Genre, you can narrow those choices down to what is Pinned on their Home page instead of the entire feed of Ideas.

[Learn more about creating and Pinning Ideas]

4: Scaffold Choice and assignment writing time to maximize engagement

Learn how this elementary teacher used a balance of writing, reading and commenting to build a community where students fell in love with writing!

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Related:

Cross-Curricular Mini Lessons

Write With Your Students!