Meaningful Writing

Research Summary

Question

How will greater student choice of the topics and purposes for writing affect fifth grade students’ attitudes towards writing and their writing assessment scores?

Summary

The fifth grade students in my 2006-2007 class were not writing with the skills and creativity that they appeared to have mastered in fourth grade. Most of these students scored at or above the previous school years average score.  According to the NCTE, some kids have come to hate writing through bad experiences. These fifth grade students did not have much enthusiasm or excitement when it came to writing assignments. What will motivate students to write and then write some more. How can teachers provide the spark that will give students a reason to write with excitement and enthusiasm?