Case
Writting

In writing classes, students are sometimes slow to come up with ideas for what to write about.

Posted on: 10/03/17 | Views: 875
Solution #1
Top Solution
Instead of asking students to think of something to write about, you should narrow down the topics they can choose from so the idea isn't so broad. Perhaps ask students to think about the time they worked hard for something, the time they made something they were really proud of, or a favorite memory from their childhood.

I agree, narrowing down the topics will help students pick and idea to write about faster.

If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this.

Narrowing down the topics is a great idea. If I were in your shoes, I would do exactly this.

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Solution #2
Try giving students slips of paper with ideas on them. Or try brainstorming ideas as a class. You could also try giving scenarios that happen in their lives, like a tradition they have in their family, or something related to their culture.

This is a good solution. It provides the students an opportunity to brainstorm, and the option to pick something from their own lives that they could choose from. Its almost like guiding the student to a topic but they make the final decision.

This is a great idea for students who need a little extra push to come up with amazing ideas! Students love to talk about traditions, family trips, their favorite food, etc. Those would be good topics to start with.

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Solution #3
I think it would be a great idea to sometimes provide students with a list of prompts or thought-provoking things they could write about. Additionally, at the beginning of the school year or writing unit, you could have them create a collage or organizer that displays their interests and opinions, so they can refer back to it when choosing a writing topic.
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Solution #4
You could start a writing jar. In the beginning of the year have the students create a list of things they like or want to talk about. Fill this jar with all those suggestions and in the beginning of writing pull from the jar and say today we will be writing about.....Hope this helps.
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Solution #5
You could try giving students exciting prompts to write about. You could also have them write letters to each other, write on chart paper, or create presentations to get them excited about writing. Sometimes if the students are learning in a different way it will motivate them.
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Solution #6
I would try giving the student an example of something they may write about it, also telling the students they will be sharing it with a partner may encourage them to think outside the box.
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Solution #7
I think it would be beneficial before breaking off into individual writing to do a class brainstorming activity.They could think about it, talk to a partner, then tell the teacher. The teacher could then write down the ideas so the students have a reference.
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Solution #8
Give students a narrowed topic or a list of topic for students to choose from. Make sure the purpose of the writing is clear, or what they will be assessed on, since that may help students figure out what to write about as well. Teach students to do things like concept maps or other strategies to plan and think through writing before they start. Give them a time limit to write anything that comes to mind and then analyze that after to see if they can find a topic. Encourage them to keep a notebook for creative writing ideas that they can write in anytime of the day and re-visit if they need a topic.
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Solution #9
Try to provide a list of ideas and let the students go from there. Keep the topics open though because not every student will be able to have responses. For example instead of saying write about your mom or dad (since not every child has a mom or dad they are in contact with) say something like tell me about your favorite person. Give the student a list of open topics they could choose from. This should help students come up with ideas.
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Solution #10
I would give the students a small selection of topics to write about so that it doesn't take as long for them to figure it out. If they still can't figure it out, pick it for them.
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Solution #11
I agree with the other solutions that suggest giving students a handful of specific prompts. I would also try joining other topics being discussed in the classroom. Give prompts relating to the information they are learning in all their other subjects. Why not take two birds with one stone?
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Solution #12
Give the students a list of topics to choose from.
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Solution #13
I would brainstorm some topics for them to choose from and even passages for them to read and pull information from but do not allow copying. If necessary you can have students do an interest inventory to find out what they like and would want to read and write about.
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Solution #14
I would have a lesson about planning which would include how to brainstorm. This would consist of creating a concept map diagram. Show students to just write down whatever ideas come to mind when they think of the topic and then to stem off from that. Often, students tell you they dont have an idea, then you ask them why they chose what they did to write about and they explain it perfectly. They're just lazy or don't realize that they know exactly what to write about, because they're afraid of being wrong.
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Solution #15
Since the students seem like they are having a hard time coming up with topics when it comes to writing, I would suggest on giving them a list of topics to choose from. This way the students will not have to think so into on what to write about, which is taking their time away from writing.
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Solution #16
encourage brainstorming in your classroom. Encourage students that they can write about whatever they want and that there are no wrong answers. Inspire creativity,
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Solution #17
Provide fun creative writing topics for the students to write about.
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Solution #18
I think that the teacher should come up with the topics to choose from and put them in an envelope. Pass around the envelope so that each student takes one slip of paper out. That will be their topic that they write about. If some students still have trouble knowing what to write about the topic that they randomly picked, speak with them individually and help them brainstorm about how to elaborate on their topic. If worse comes down to worse, have them pick another topic or help them brainstorm a new topic.
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Solution #19
It is useful for teachers to come up with topics for the students to write about. However, having a couple different topics will allow the students to choose their topic but not have to come up with one on their own.
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