“Writing means sharing. It’s part of the human condition to want to share things—thoughts, ideas, opinions.” — Paulo Coelho
At the beginning of each school year, we as educators must cultivate an environment where learning thrives through building a community of learners. The challenge is how to do this without compromising the rigor that we strive to maintain, all while our students eagerly absorb knowledge.
I have an idea that, while not new, requires time and effort but offers monumental benefits. It’s simple yet profoundly empowering for students, fostering a student-centered classroom of lifelong learners and writers across all subject areas.
SHARE: Writing journals is cathartic for adults and serves the same purpose for children, regardless of age or ability. If students cannot write, they can draw and include thought or speech bubbles. The essential point is not the writing itself—it’s the sharing!
Student voice is often stifled by the demands of the day or the rigor required in the classroom. Sharing provides an opportunity for students to hear their peers, mimic writing choices, and engage in the writing process like no other activity. It creates a community of writers, speakers, listeners, and readers. Here’s how I implement this in my classes, and it has truly transformed my teaching.
During the first week of school, students begin writing in their journals. At least three students share each day. To ease them into the process and show solidarity, I share my journal entry first, alleviating some of their nervousness.
I award 5 ClassDojo points or 5 Star Points (a star stamp or sticker) to each student who volunteers to share their writing. All students are required to listen by writing down one thing they liked about their peer’s reading. This can be noted on a post-it or underneath their journal entry, promoting active listening. We clap for the students when they finish reading, and three volunteers share what they liked using these sentence stems:
- I really liked hearing…
- As ______ read, I heard…
- I want to know more about __________ from __________’s journal….
- I liked it when you read….
Many educators, myself included, previously viewed shared time as a time-waster due to the constant pressure of completing writing assignments and preparing for tests. However, through the pandemic, I embraced sharing time to connect with my students on a deeper level and provide breaks from writing for reflection. This simple act revolutionized my teaching style. My colleagues noticed a positive change in my students’ demeanor and my own. The key was building a community of writers through talking, discussing, and sharing. Allowing students to share their writing led to expressions of ideas, thoughts, and cultural differences that became springboards for other writing activities and emotional responses. Students grew closer, fostering kindness and reducing bullying.
To amplify this newfound excitement, I attended a workshop in Texas led by one of my ELA mentors, Gretchen Bernabei. She demonstrated how sharing can enhance instruction, create a community of writers, and help students internalize ELA concepts.
Here’s my tip: While it may seem like something we don’t have time for, carve out 5-15 minutes where you, the educator, share alongside the students. Your students will surprise you and improve exponentially, all while smiling and enjoying the learning process.
Sweet Success. Brilliant. Community.
I hope you implement this in your classrooms this year. Embracing this mindset and stepping outside your comfort zone can yield lasting inspirational results.
If you do, please share your successes with me! I would love to hear from you at teachingwithtemprano@gmail.com.
Teaching with Temprano 