Building Writing Fluency “Write, write and write some more. Think of writing as a muscle that needs lots of exercise.” -Jane Yolen

Outcomes Deepen understanding of the purpose of writing fluency and using the strategy to build student stamina in writing Obtain activities to build fluency and stamina daily in your classroom

What is Fluency? “Fluency is the ability to generate text– a lot of it– in a short period of time.” Aimee Buckner- Notebook Know-How “This gives students something to work with when rereading, revising, and even editing.” Aimee Buckner “To get past “page fright,” writers need to experience the power of motion. Before we start a piece of writing, the page is blank. To get the ballpoint rolling, we must simply begin.” Jeff Anderson- 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know “Fluency is the ability to generate text– a lot of it– in a short period of time.” Aimee Buckner- Notebook Know-How “This gives students something to work with when rereading, revising, and even editing.” Aimee Buckner “To get past “page fright,” writers need to experience the power of motion. Before we start a piece of writing, the page is blank. To get the ballpoint rolling, we must simply begin.” Jeff Anderson- 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know

Why Writing Fluency? “Everything we write today prepares us for the writing task of tomorrow.” Fluency = Building Writing Stamina Standard 10- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Quick Writes Teacher displays two words or two topics. Students select one. Teacher says, “Write as much as you can, as fast as you can, as well as you can in 5 minute. Go!” Students write for one minute. Teacher calls time: “Stop writing. Lift your pencil up in the air. Draw a line underneath what you just wrote. Count the number of words you wrote.” Students record and circle word count next to the title. Repeat for a total of three rounds. Students record their best Quick Write on a Quick Write graph.

Chocolate chip cookie Exercise Activity 1 Choose a topic below and write it on your paper. When I say go, write as much as you can, as fast as you can, as well as you can in 1 minute.

Professional Development Travel Choose a second topic below.

Write Up a Storm Wilda Storm- Write Up a Storm

Building Stamina Activities such as Quick Writes will set the stage for building stamina and support writing fluency.

“Toss Ins” for Quick Writes Have students continue writing for another minute, but this time, the teacher will randomly “toss in” additions to include in the next minute’s writing. – Example… “Add vivid verbs; add a simile; add a social studies term.” – Basically, you are “tossing in” specific items related to class learning

Sensory Lists Choose a topic Fold paper into 8 boxes Write a sense into each one – See, hear, smell, taste, touch – Additions- Feelings/emotions, thoughts Set timer for 2 minutes per box. Have students independently work. Encourage the use of sensory words (provide them with a resource list) Share ideas after time is up. (Add ideas you like) 5 ideas must be used in their writing- * favorites

Activity 2 Create a sensory list about a rainy day.

Share Your Best Practices As a table group share activities that you do in your classroom to build writing fluency.

Writing From a List Make a quick list based on a self- selected topic. List topics might include things they are experts on, best events in their lives, worst events, favorite words. They star or highlight the item on their list they want to write about. Start an entry on that word or topic.

Comic Strip Scenes Choose a topic Fold paper into 4 squares Draw a comic for each scene Do a Quick Write based on the comic strip

Boo Boo Bodies Use an outline of a body Have students record injuries from their life on the body Students can even take it home for homework and add details with their parents Glue Boo Boo Bodies into writing notebooks for future topic ideas

Classroom Writing Guidelines Have resources readily available – binders or notebooks with topic ideas (old Quick Write topics, Writing from a List, Boo Boo Bodies) Underline words to look up later Partner Share!!! – As a prewriting strategy – During writing (share your introduction…) – After final copies (celebrate the writing) Use a Timer and Music – Hold students accountable to finish in a given timeframe – Quiet music sets the mood for productive writing

When Will I Fit This In??? Where can you find 15 minutes for your students to write and share every day? Discuss with your table group. (Remember, it can be in any content area, any time.)

Three Things To Remember about Writing Fluency Students who write every day will become good writers. Fluency builds stamina. Fluency pushes students past writer’s block.

Resources Professional Texts Notebook Know-How Aimee Buckner 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know Jeff Anderson Helpful Website