Publishing student work is the last of the 6 steps of the writing process (prewriting, planning, writing, revising, editing, publishing). But what exactly does publishing mean and how do you best do it? When students publish their work, it allows others the chance to read it. It can be a source of pride for students to share their work with others encourages students to always try their best. I generally do not publish work with names on it to help ease some of the uneasiness some students have about others reading their work. Keep reading for 7 ways to publish student work!
1. Create a class website using Google Sites or another platform. This would allow you to easily publish digital text in a place where your students, parents, and community can easily see what is being shared. For confidentiality reasons, I would ensure that the setting of this are private and it is only able to be accessed by those who you allow. If parents are going to be reading it as well, I would delete names and instead give each student a number or a code word and publish that number or code word at the author of the work. Share this with the parents so that they can see what their child has written, but still allows confidentiality for the rest of the class.
2. Create a physical book that is kept in the classroom. This is what I am currently using in my class. I made a title page and back page, laminated them, and the use 3 rings to bind it. I am able to add student work to the book as it comes in and students are able to read each others work during silent reading. They love seeing each other’s work in print. Alternatively, you could use Canva or another platform to design an actual book and then order it for a fee.
3. Post it to Google Classroom. Already using Google Classroom for most assignments? Create a classroom material posts where you can just consistently add new student work as it becomes available. Students will know to look their to see their own, and their classmate’s, work.
4. Read aloud to a small group. Still want to allow students to read their work to others, but not to the whole class? Put them in groups of 5 -6 and share their work with others in the group. This is a great way for students to share their work with others, but is less intimidating than sharing to a whole group.
5. Have a spoken word afternoon. Have students who love to talk? Why not provide some time for them to read their written work aloud to the class. This could also be a great opportunity to bring parents or others members of the community in to hear what the students have been working on.
6. Post it to the wall. This is probably one of the more traditional ways of publishing student work. Help make your physical classroom feel more like the student’s space by showing student work on the wall. Writing assignments are just one more thing that you can put up there!
7. Create a class podcast. This not only gives students a way to publish their work, but also gives them practice with talking, recording, and editing. Assign some students to be anchors and others to be reporters and schedule a day to record. Reporters can read aloud what they have written on those days. Again, due to confidentiality, be careful how this is published after it is created. Check with your administration if you have any questions.
Publishing student work is a great for students to share what they have written and fosters a sense of pride in their work. What is your favourite way to publish student work? Share in the comments!
