Even teachers who have little control over what they teach can infuse writing lessons with student choice and autonomy. This begins with putting student in a writing mindset in which they think they real writers with a real audience and purpose.

A real writer has their own favorite topics, ideas they are burning to write about, an audience they want to reach, stories they want to tell, and even deadlines they have to meet. Real writers have strengths and weakness and skill they need to improve along with talents they are proud of.

Begin your school year by having students take a writing inventory.

What is a writing inventory?

A writing inventory can consist of having students write about their strengths and weaknesses, what they like most about writing and what they struggle with, and ideas for things they would like to write about. These can be graphic organizers or just reflection prompts.

What ever writing inventory or inventories you end up using, consider taking an inventory along with your students and discussing your own writing preferences with them.