Quickwrites are impromptu writings used by students in grades 3-8 to explore topics and develop writing fluency without focusing on mechanics. The teacher chooses a topic related to a thematic unit and students write freely about it for 5-10 minutes. Their quickwrites are then shared in small groups or as a class to prepare for discussions. Quickwrites can be used across content areas like English, history, and science to activate prior knowledge and brainstorm ideas before writing papers or answering comprehension questions.

1. Quickwrites
By: Ashley Ivey

2. Introduction
 Impromptu writings used to explore a
topic or respond to a question
 Focus is on generating ideas and
developing writing fluency (content rather
than mechanics)
 This lets their thoughts flow
 For grades 3-8

3. Materials
 Paper or journal
 Writing utensil
 Topic, thematic unit, or question

4. Demonstration
 1. Choose a topic (Rain Forest)
 2. Write about the topic
 3. Read the quickwrites (small groups or
class)
 4. Write a second time (optional)

5. Demonstration cont.
 Write about:
 Animals that live in the Rain Forest
 What resources come from Rain Forest
 What are the layers
 Plants that grow in the Rain Forest
 Where are the Rain Forests located
 = Describe the Rain Forests

6. Other Content Areas
 English
 Answering questions after a read aloud
(comprehension)
 Before writing a paper used as
brainstorming
 History
 Prior knowledge of presidents (thematic
unit)

7. Educational Principles
 Developing writing fluency
 Exploring ideas and topics
 Activates prior knowledge and
comprehension
 Reflect and prepare for discussions
 Allows students’ natural voice come
through in writing