Unless you are brand new to this blog, then you know that writing from lists is my JAM! It’s the best trick I know for motivating student writers since they come up with all the topics themselves. But, if this concept is new to you, or you need a refresher, I have a video that explains how I use them here.
Recently, a reader asked if I use the lists more than once in a school year. And the answer is ABSOLUTELY!
Several of the lists can be used at different times in the school year because they reflect what kids are doing/loving/hating/etc. at this specific moment in time. One example is the To Do List.
Kids can do this list several times a year and it can generate fresh writing ideas each time. You also might find that for students who struggle with their executive functioning, completing this list once a week is a game-changer!
What I love best about using lists more than once a year is that it demonstrates how important it is to write about what is currently on your mind. And since this is always changing, taking some time prior to drafting to really reflect on what’s wandering around in your mind is so helpful. Typically, I pay attention to the lists that were the most “popular” with my students in September. These are the ones that generated the most writing content. And then I repeat those in the spring, encouraging kids to reflect on how they’ve changed since then. Sometimes, it’s the reflection that inspires a piece more than an item from the list itself.
If you are a fan of motivating student writers through lists, do you have students reuse list ideas? I’d love to hear more about your experience!
Are you new to using Lists in your classroom, you can get a free one to try here: Writing from Lists Will Engage Even Your Most Reluctant Writers!
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