6 TIPS FOR PUBLISHING STUDENT WRITING
by Cindy Blevins on 01/22/17
All it takes is one student (or teacher) getting his or her writing published to fuel the writing energy of other students (and teachers). How does a teacher go about this when there is so much curriculum that needs to be covered and state tests that need to be passed? Could it be possible to do it all without spending 24 hours a day at school? Below are some suggestions based on personal experience and a belief that immersing students in real-world writing situations naturally produce higher writing and reading scores.
1. Provide various opportunities for students to publish their work. Keep a bulletin board dedicated to a variety of writing contests; these are all over the internet, and I will be sending you information on different contests as I get them. Keep this information updated and continue to remind students of the different deadlines. This is a constant reminder of the possibilities for recognition of writing.
2. Get and keep a visible copy of the annual edition of the Writer’s Market (or the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market which publishes writing for and by kids, ages 5-18) published by Writer’s Digest Books. You can also ask your librarian keep 1-2 copies in the school library. Show this to your students and tell them it is full of places that publish writing. It tells what kind of writing companies want to publish, how to go about submitting your writing, and how much they will pay for your writing. Tell students they have to write in your class; they might as well try to get paid for it. It’s amazing how this sparks student interest!
3. Create local writing contests for students. You can have a school-wide expository essay writing contest (or any other type of writing). You can pair up with a teacher from another school, or you can team up with a local business to host a writing contest. Allow students to do all the work: set up guidelines, set due dates, solicit prizes, and organize the announcement of winners and prizes. If you select a state-writing genre, use state rubrics and have each class review essays and score them according to the rubric. You will be amazed at how much they learn from this. Once they narrow down the best essays, they will select the winner and runners up, and present them with their awards. Create a book of award-winning essays to keep in the school library, announce winners over the school PA system, and create a hall display of winners and their writing. Remember, you’re the coach, let the students do the work!
4. Use class time for students to work on writing for different contests. Be sure to include lots of student and teacher feedback during editing and revising stages. You can do mini-lessons based on problems you notice on essays.
5. As the teacher, be sure to write with your students and submit your writing as you have opportunity. You might even join a school or city writing club. It is incredible how much this will improve the way you teach writing.
6. Invite local published authors or newspaper columnists to share tips on getting published or to lead some writing workshops during class or before/after school.
NCTE offers some wonderful writing contests: http://www.ncte.org/awards/student. Check out the “Writing for Promising Young Writers” for 8th grade students, and “Achievement Awards in Writing” for 11th grade students. Writing must be submitted for both of these by February 24, 2017.
