I have a special love for teaching writing. While it is definitely a challenge, it is one that I truly enjoy. When you have a balanced literacy classroom, writing becomes even more meaningful.
Anytime I start a new writing unit, I open it up with a good book. That book then leads to a fun pre-writing activity. And this one is an absolute favorite of mine.
Pre-Writing is a Must
Even the best published authors have their own form of pre-writing. They plan. They sketch. They organize their thoughts before ever drafting a final piece.
For early writers, pre-writing does not have to mean writing full sentences. It can be drawing a picture, talking through ideas, singing a song, or playing a simple game that sparks creativity.
Pre-writing gives learners time to think before they worry about spelling or punctuation. As a result, it builds confidence and helps eliminate that blank page feeling.
Starting With a Simple Box
When we meet at the carpet, my students find a box sitting next to my chair. And if you have ever been in a classroom, you know exactly what happens next.
Hands shoot up.
“Mrs. Jones… what is that box for?”
I do not answer them.
Instead, I begin reading Not a Box.
The creativity in this book is incredible. A simple box becomes something completely new on every page. While I read, I see my learners start to imagine their own creations.
When I finish the story, the hands go up again. This time, learners are eager to share stories of their own box creations at home. In fact, without even realizing it, they are making strong text-to-self connections.
We spend a few minutes sharing ideas. Then we move into think, pair, share. This simple conversation time becomes powerful pre-writing.
From Pre-Writing to Writer’s Workshop
When Writer’s Workshop begins, learners head back to their desks with one clear task. They will turn a simple box into something brand new.
On the printable handout, they transform the box into a robot, a skyscraper, a refrigerator, an invention, or anything their imagination can design. I encourage them to think creatively and add as many details as possible.
The drawing is not the final product. Instead, it becomes the plan.
Later in Writer’s Workshop, students write about their new creation. The more details they add to their picture, the stronger their writing becomes. Their illustration supports their sentences, and their sentences expand their ideas.
This is where the real growth happens.
Strengthening Your Writing Block
If you are building a consistent writing routine in your classroom, activities like this fit perfectly inside a structured Writer’s Workshop model.
My Writer’s Workshop Pack provides the tools and routines to support learners through every stage of the writing process, including:
- Pre-writing and idea development
- Drafting
- Revising
- Publishing
This box activity is a simple way to introduce those routines in a way that feels fun and engaging.
Grab the Free Printable
You can grab this free printable by clicking the link below. It is an easy pre-writing activity you can use in your classroom right away.
Start with a box.
Add imagination.
Watch your writers grow.
Grab This Freebie
