Motivating Activities for Reluctant Writers

When I was working as a school administrator in a public school in Toronto, one of my daily responsibilities was dealing with disciplinary issues in school.

I found that often students were sent down to the principal's office by teachers citing that these students were uncooperative in class, i.e. not doing what they were supposed to do.









These kind of scenarios play out many times in schools across Canada.  When asked to write in class, some students scratch their heads and have not a clue about what to write. After a few minutes, if students are still unsure of their writing topics, some will start getting fidgety in class. What follows often is that the teacher would get mad at the children complaining that they are not paying attention and wasting time in class.


Unfortunately, some teachers are unaware of the following fact: students don't know what to write as some of them have limited experiences outside the classroom. Teachers need to give their students tools so that they can be stimulated and have something to write about.

Having worked with students for over thirty years, I have found that playing games with students is one of the most effective strategies to get students start thinking and putting their thoughts in writing.

The second game I used with students to give them something to write about was the Square Game.
You will need a good open space to play this game such as in the gym. It is suitable for a small group of students if played in a classroom.  Here is how to play the game:

1.  The games starts with a student assuming the role of  " It". Choose any student in class.
2.  The It"" student stands in the middle of the room.
3.  The rest of the students spread out and stand at one of the four corners in the room.
4.  Students standing at the 4 corners trying to switch places without the IT looking.
5.   The "It" tries to catch the students while they are switching places.

After a fun game like this, I often find that the students become more relaxed and can easily relate to an experience they just have had. This is when I ask them to write or describe something and students would happily recount the experience they have finished a few minutes ago.

R.T.
Toronto

Picture credit - Google images