Help Your Students Become Quick-Start, Fluid Writers!
It can be intimidating and challenging for a child when asked to write independently. Some students can sit for many minutes before making a scratch on their paper. Power writing builds and strengthens a writer’s ability to begin promptly and write continuously.
While teaching fifth grade, a third grade teacher in my building introduced me to “power writing”. Power writing is a way for elementary students to become stronger writers. I have found this method to be non-intimidating and engaging, even for my most reluctant writers.
By no means is power writing something that should dominate classroom writing time or focus. Rather, it is a means to help students so that they are able to move through the writing process.

How Power Writing Drills Work:
The teacher provides 2 topic choices. The students select which topic they will write about. The teacher begins the slideshow to start the timer. The students write rapidly about their topic trying to get down as many words as possible. Students may write lists or sentences. They may also write fiction or narrative short pieces. When the timer ends, the students count up the number of words they’ve written today. Students use power writing drills to practice quick, fluid writing.

Product Includes:
-Blank slides with timer for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds
-Classroom slide show to teach and explain power writing to your students
-Paper for students to record goal and words written (3 line size options)
-Power writing graphs and charts for students to track progress (3 options)
-Student fold-able notebooks
-Student folders
-Simple directions (with pictures) explaining how to edit power writing slides

Power writing only takes a few moments and it has a significant influence on student writing.