From essays to research papers, students often don't get much time to be creative with their writing. By incorporating a few writing activities as bell work, students get the chance to be creative again and could find themselves looking forward to the assignments.
One Word Writing Prompts
This activity will take explaining the first time it's done, but after that students should understand the concept. All that is written on the board is one word. It can be any word, but it's important that students are familiar with it. Instruct students to write whatever they can about that word. Give them ideas the first time to get them started.
For example, the word can be "green." Students are to write as much as they can about "green" until they are told to stop. They can make lists of green things. They can write a story about the different shades of green they saw on a recent walk. Perhaps recycling comes to mind. They have been provided the topic, they must come up with the ideas.
Multi Word Writing Prompts
This bell work activity involves a little preparation ahead of time. Cut out about 50 slips of paper and write one noun on each. Place the slips in a jar and randomly draw five of them. Write those words on the board. Students will have to write a story or poem using all five of the words. This activity helps students draw connections between objects.
Story Starters for Language Arts Classes
Story starters can be any length from a couple of words to a sentence or two. They are designed to give students a starting place from which to write. Write the story starter on the board and have students write a story based on that prompt. These can be worded to reinforce a skill that's already been taught in class like characterization, plot, setting, or voice.
Rather than the ten minutes typical for bell work, this activity may take a little longer. It could also be carried over for the following day's bell work. That is completely up to the individual teacher.
Lists of story starters can be found online with a simple search. A fun website is offered through Scholastic and can be projected from the computer for the class to see. Another source of starters is the students themselves. Have them write their own on a sheet of paper, place in a jar, and draw one out as needed for bell work.
Acrostic Poems as Bell Work Activities
An acrostic uses the letters in a word to begin each line of the poem. These poems are a favorite among middle schoolers, whether they use their name or a word predetermined by the teacher.
Have students write the word one letter per line down the side of the paper. Tell them to write a word or phrase beginning with each letter until they are finished.
An example using the word hero:
Helping others
Expecting nothing in return
Random acts of kindness
Ordinary person doing extraordinary things
Beginning Class with Free Write
Once students have had practice with other writing activities, provide them opportunities to free write. This simply means they have the freedom to write about their own topic in their own format.
Whatever method is used, from prompts to poems, beginning a class with creative writing activities provides students regular practice with writing. Make the activities fun and with limited restrictions. The idea is to encourage creativity and a love for writing.
Related article: Figurative Language as Bell Work
Doris Keeler - Doris is an 8th grade language arts teacher who specializes in teaching students the art of writing. Under her direction, the writing plan ...
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