I’m not sure why, but once the Fourth of July hits, I feel like summer is over and I need to start gearing up for the school year. This inevitably leads me to Pinterest and Google as I search for new activities and icebreakers to add to my collection. If you are also gearing up for the new school year and looking for ways to better understand your students from the get-go, look no further! I’ve got a freebie just for you: the Writing Attitude Survey.
This free resource is designed to help teachers get to know their students at the beginning of the year by understanding their feelings and attitudes toward writing. By having your students fill out this short survey, you’ll be equipped to build relationships and get off to a smooth start as you dive into your first writing unit.
Why it Matters
So, why is this survey such a game-changer? Well, for starters, it gives you a chance to understand what your students are thinking and feeling about writing. Knowing their attitudes from the beginning can help you identify potential roadblocks and prevent students from shutting down and quitting because they feel they aren’t any good at writing or simply don’t enjoy it.
How It Works
The Writing Attitude Survey comes in two convenient formats: printable and digital (Google Form). This means you can choose the option that works best for you and your classroom. Simply print or assign the digital version and have students complete it. Then, sit down with your favorite beverage and read through their responses. I found it helped to make little notes to have handy during writing as a reminder of who might be more reluctant to complete their writing.
What You Get
The survey consists of 15 rating scale questions (strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree) and 5 written response questions. These questions are crafted to give you insight into your students’ perceptions of writing, making it easier to tailor your lessons and teaching approach to suit students’ needs and preferences.
Start the Year Off Right
What sets this resource apart is that it’s not just another survey. It’s a tool designed specifically for teachers to get to know their students. I always do a quick glance as students turn in their survey. This helps me find similarities we might have in common that I can share with my students. I find this makes students feel like you are a real person. (Whoa my teacher hates writing narratives too!) It’s easy to use and provides valuable insights that will help you lay the foundation for a successful school year. Plus, did I mention it’s free?
Get Started Today!
Ready to get to know your students better and set yourself up for a successful school year? Click here to sign up for my email list and have the Writing Attitude Survey sent straight to your inbox.
Here’s to a year filled with great writing and even better connections with your students!
Have questions or want to share your experience with the Writing Attitude Survey? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!
