Publishing is the final step in the writing process (and in our Writing Process Mini Series), and it gives students a sense of pride in their work. Whether through classroom displays, digital platforms, or printed books, helping elementary students publish their writing shows them that their words matter. In this post, we’ll explore creative ways to make publishing an exciting and rewarding experience for young writers.
Why Publishing Matters
Publishing writing helps students:
- Develop confidence in their writing skills
- Understand that writing is meant to be shared
- Feel motivated to write more often
- Learn how to receive and respond to feedback
- Gives students a chance to celebrate their hard work
Ideas For Publishing Student Writing
Create a Classroom Book
One of the easiest ideas for publishing student writing is to compile student writing into a class book that can be kept in the classroom library. Students can illustrate their story and take turns reading their work aloud and "checking out" each others' books from the class library. This simple publishing method helps students see their writing as valuable and worth sharing.
Host an Author’s Chair
Set up an “Author’s Chair” where students can read their writing to the class. Encourage positive feedback by having classmates share what they liked about the piece. This activity builds confidence and reinforces the idea that writing is meant to be enjoyed by others.
Display Writing in the Classroom
Create a “Wall of Fame” or a bulletin board dedicated to showcasing student work. Changing the displayed writing regularly gives all students a chance to see their work celebrated and encourages them to do their best.
I like to use a clear pocket similar to a page protector. This lets me quickly change out student work as needed. Other teachers I know prefer the clothespin method where each student has a clothespin and the newest student work gets posted on top so it creates a portfolio by the end of the year.
Publish Writing Digitally
Use technology to share student writing beyond the classroom. Options include:
- Creating a class blog where students post their writing
- Using digital storytelling tools to bring their writing to life
- Making a slideshow of student stories to present to parents
- Creating a class website to post student writing
Send Writing Home
Encourage students to take their writing home and share it with family members. Consider:
- Making copies of their stories for a class newsletter
- Sending home “published” books for parents to read
- Creating writing portfolios that students can keep and revisit
Involving families in the publishing process helps students take pride in their work.
Host A Movie Day
My absolute favorite idea for publishing student writing is to host a movie day. I've done this a couple times with my previous first grade classes and it was always a hit.
First, the students wrote a personal narrative story (although this would work with any style of writing). Once it was done they created their illustrations (at least 3 but the more pictures the more entertaining the movie). Then students recorded their voice reading their stories and I matched up the pictures to the voice recording.
Then I created tickets and invited families in to watch the movies. Each family took home a DVD of all the stories but you could also do a Google site or USB drive.
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