How to start your own WRITE CLUB

Gain momentum and build buy-in with a successful first WRITE CLUB experience.  These three prompts are sure to engage everyone from 6th graders to adults.  SWITCH-IT-UP is one of our most joyful WRITE CLUB methods.  *For a heightened experience, the teacher or group facilitator should participate as well.  Writers have 4 minutes to start writing, with the knowledge that they will not complete the piece.  After 4 minutes, writers switch with another writer.  New writers have 1 minute to read what has been written, and then another 4 minutes to continue the piece.  Rinse and repeat with one or two more rotations (read the room to gauge enjoyment and stamina), which will give you either three or four different writers contributing to the same piece.  The last writer is charged with writing an ending.  Then the piece is returned to the original author to read independently.  

*Timing can be adapted to tailor to students' specific needs

Offer an opportunity for willing students to share their mosaics.  I find that Switch-It-Up writing usually concludes in laughter, celebration, and a stronger sense of community.

SWITCH-IT-UP Prompts:

Student-choice is important, so offer at least 2 choices during a WRITE CLUB.  Students can choose to start their piece with the prompt, use the prompt in their piece, or just use the prompt as inspiration.  

• The scream pierced the starry night.  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up straight in salute; something was terribly, terribly wrong.  Should I do something?  In that moment, I decided to ________.  

• I stared into the mirror at my reflection.  Today was the day.

• It hurt to smile, to blink, to breathe…  

Time:  19 minutes for writing process + 5-10 for share outs = 30-35 minutes for this WRITE CLUB experience.