Maximize Every Minute: 5 Steps To Reclaim Writing Time 

Let’s face it, teaching writing takes time. A writing lesson  can often taking on a life of its own. It can involve more than writing or providing a detailed written response, but the five stages of the writing process (e.g. brainstorming ideas, correcting sentences, checking punctuation marks, fixing capitalization mistakes, as well as identifying errors in spelling). Mini lessons on writing are the answer. Here are 5 steps to reclaim writing time.

1. Teach Mini Lessons

Mini lessons in writing can not only save you time, but keep students engaged because they are a shorten, condensed version of a full lesson. The use of a mini lesson can be an effective way to teach writing because

of the way it is structured. A structured mini writing lesson includes:

  • Working with students in small groups.
  • Focusing on essential instructional strategies.
  • Reducing teaching time.
  • Providing  immediate feedback to students.

“Mini-lessons are a high leverage practice that provide students with tools that can be used long term” (Clayton, 2021).

2. Organize Small Groups 

Small groups should include four to five students. This makes it easier to engage students. Group can be structured by student needs or skills.Knowing which your students may need extra support is important. Small group can give you a handle on how each of your students are doing in understanding the strategies being taught.


3. Introduce Two Strategies 

Focusing on one or two instructional strategies is ideal. This allows for fewer topics to be introduced. Time can be spent focusing on an area of writing your students are struggling with. Time can also be spent reviewing writing strategies again to students’ strengthen skills. By focusing on fewer strategies, you can prevent your students from become overwhelmed with learning too many things at once.


4. Save Valuable Time

Mini writing lessons should be predictable. Instruction should take between 10 to 30 minutes. The instruction should be explicit. Explicit directions make it simple and easy for students to follow. Instructional should allow for your students to have time to practice and received feedback. The use of a timer can be helpful in managing your time when meeting with your students.

 5. Give Immediate Feedback

 During a mini writing lesson, students practice what they are learning right away. As they work, this is a good time to check if your students’ are understanding the lesson. When the students are done, they should all take turns sharing out their work. As they share out, this is the time to get feedback from the teacher and their peers. This also gives students time to make correction.

Final Thoughts

The journey to becoming  a good writer should not filled with the time consuming frustration of correcting mistake after mistake. Or the tiredness of working through the stages of the writing process again and again until a quality writing piece is produced that is share out ready and bulletin board worthy. Where is the joy in that for students. Not to mention, being the teacher who is carrying stack after stack of writing assignments from school to home again and again to stay on top of the work.


You are able to engage students through explicit instruction in small groups. Even differentiating instruction is not an overwhelming task. Using mini lessons are predictable because you can be intentional about where you focus your instructional strategies. But what is most important is you are able to support your students’ where they need it and provide immediate feedback where it counts the most. 

 

“During mini writing lessons, you can teach procedures, model strategies and techniques, reinforce previously taught strategies, and teach specific skills” (Clayton, 2021). Mini lessons lets you put the traditional stages of the writing process on hold. They help you to save time not consume your time. You have a lot on your plate cut the overwhelm by doing mini writing lessons.


Tips To Try:

You can effectively deliver targeted writing instruction while maximizing time for student writing practice and application.

1. Keep Mini Lessons Short and Focused

  • Time Management: Aim to keep mini lessons between 5-10 minutes. This brief time frame ensures that the lesson is concise and focused on a single, specific writing skill or strategy.
  • Clear Objectives: Clearly state the objective of the mini lesson at the beginning. Focus on one aspect of writing, such as using vivid verbs, crafting strong leads, or varying sentence structure.

2. Use Mentor Texts and Model Writing

  • Mentor Texts: Use examples from literature, student writing, or your own writing to illustrate the skill or strategy being taught. This provides students with concrete examples of good writing.
  • Modeling: Write in front of the students, thinking aloud as you go. This allows students to see the writing process in action and understand how to apply the skill or strategy themselves.

3. Incorporate Guided Practice and Immediate Application

  • Guided Practice: After the mini lesson, give students a few minutes to practice the skill in a guided setting. This could involve working on a specific sentence, paragraph, or short piece.
  • Immediate Application: Encourage students to immediately apply what they’ve learned to their ongoing writing projects. This helps solidify the skill and shows its relevance in their writing.