Sunday, December 22, 2013

Spark Student Movitation: Gifts of Writing!

I'm finally on winter break! My body clock didn't quite realize that this morning but I'm finally done with all my x-mas shopping and it felt great just to relax! Whew, this break was much needed! So, in the spirit of relaxing and getting caught up, I'm going to try and get back into blogging by linking up Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching for her Spark Student Motivation Saturdays!
http://headoverheelsforteaching.blogspot.com/2013/12/spark-student-motivation-christmas.html
This week we were finishing up our "gifts" of writing. This idea was created by a coworker of mine several years ago. The week or weeks (if you have the time) before break students begin working on a gift of writing for someone they care about. Students can choose a family member, friend, teacher, etc. Instead of going out and buying another gift, students are encouraged to give them the gift of writing.

Students have created scrapbooks, poetry collections, framed letters, calendars, etc. We always have some very creative students that do such a great job with their special "gifts." This project is very motivating because it offers students lots of choice.  They can choose the style, medium (paper, coffee mug, photo collage), and person to write about. It also allows students who normally loathe writing a chance to write about anyone, anything, for any length. They especially enjoy "wrapping" their gifts or getting the covers laminated. My only requirement is that the gift be thoughtful since it is a gift they are giving to someone else.

To get started students use this graphic organizer to generate ideas:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Gifts-of-Writing-1028048
You can get a copy for free from my Teachers Pay Teachers store - just click the image above. Unfortunately, I was so busy hole punching calendars and helping to "edit" the work of my students that I forgot to take photos of the final products! I'll have to add a memo in my planner to remind myself to take photos next year! If only Santa could loan me some elves to help out around the classroom! 

From me and my fur babies.... 
We hope everyone has a great break and gets some special goodies from Santa!
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14 comments

  1. What a great idea for the students to make their gift special and meaningful. I love the idea of the Gift of Writing. Definitely going to need to do this next year. Your fur babies are cute! Happy break!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  2. What a special gift! You're teaching them so many valuable lessons with this writing assignment-I love it Amanda! A treasure the recipient will keep forever! You're so good having all your shopping done-I'm still not done-YIKES! Thanks for sharing and linking up! Happy Holidays!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  3. students give each other friends gifts and customessays review assistance available for students and we help in studies specially and students if exchange gifts then its good sing of class environment.

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