Although we are halfway through the month of November, it’s never too late to celebrate National Novel Writing Month!
NaNoWriMo was developed to give a “fun, empowering approach to creative writing” by offering up a yearly challenge to writers of any age or experience level to write a novel in 30 days. The main site is intended for 13 and up, but there is also a student-friendly site.
The Young Writer’s Program site includes more than just a place to draft and peer-edit writing projects. Resources include a free downloadable workbook for both elementary and secondary in English and Spanish, “pep talks” from famous authors and a blog. Educators can find lesson plans, classroom kits and those student workbooks as well. Students can utilize writing within their own space or work along with a teacher as part of their classroom.
Students and teachers can utilize these resources for many writing projects, not just writing the next great novel! Build skills in fluency, connect subject-specific learning and vocabulary in a new way, develop storytelling confidence, reflect upon and further the writing process itself, practice creativity and self-expression within a safe space and more! The easiest way to begin is to start writing!!
Students and teachers will need to register for an account, but accounts are free. Students may sign up as part of a class with a teacher’s classroom code and an email is not needed. If students sign up on their own and are under 13 they will need to register with a parent/guardian’s email. Forums are not open to those 13 and under but badges are available for all. Keep in mind that students and classrooms can participate on the site, and earn badges, even if there is no current challenge.
Have fun and happy writing!!
