Writing Club

For many years I have wanted to start a lunch writing club for my fifth graders, but it never seemed like the right time.

Until this year. 

We meet on Tuesdays during recess and lunch in my classroom. Last week, during our first meeting, we generated a list of things the students want to do this year. These range from learning to write in cursive (sadly not a standard in my state anymore) to publishing a book. There are about eight things on the list and all involve some sort of writing. 

I wasn't sure what writing club was going to look like, and I decided to let the students be my guide. They are all here because they LOVE to write. 

So today we started with Sacred Writing Time. This is a time to honor writing. 

I posed the question: Why are you here? Why are you willing to give up your lunch and recess every Tuesday to spend it with me?

The students wrote. 

I wrote. 

And then, we shared. 

But not everyone. 

They just aren't ready yet. 

After that, we decorated our writer's notebooks. Some used magazines. Others drew pictures. Each made their notebook their own. 

Here is what I enjoy about writing club:

I am a facilitator of writing while I let my students lead the way. 

I can make connections with kids through writing because they want to be here. 

I am giving the students the time and space to write without the worry of a deadline. 

I am able to share what I am passionate about. 

I can't wait to see what these kids will do this year. I am sure I will write about it again. It's one of the reasons why I chose to have writing club on Tuesdays!