Write Off the Bat: One Little Word
As we shift our thinking to back-to-school, we would like to offer lesson ideas to start your students writing "write off the bat." This is part two of our series that is focused on getting students writing as soon as possible. If you’re interested, you can read about part one here.
The One Little Word project began with Ali Edwards in 2006 as a way of selecting a word to focus on in January and then explore and live with that word through the rest of the year. It has since spread to the general population as a way of finding a focus without necessarily committing to a singular "New Year's Resolution."
As teachers we generally don't see January as our new year, but August/September, which makes bringing the One Little Word project into the classroom an excellent way to introduce writing "write off the bat!"
How it Works in the Classroom
I know I am not the first teacher to bring a version of the One Little Word project into the classroom, but I do want to share how I have used it for my own classes the past few years. I start with students watching Ali Edwards' explain the concept via this video.
Then, I have students begin a list of 10 words or phrases that they hope to define their new school year. If you want to give your students a boost (or if they say they are stuck), you can even print out or pull up lists of positive words for students to pick from.
Once students have a list going, I then have them start to narrow the field. I ask that they select 2-3 of the words to write about and explore what those words mean to them. This might include them looking up the definition of the word and writing it down or writing down a personal definition or beginning to write about why they chose the word that they did.
Usually by this point, students have found one word that speaks to them, but if not I challenge them to really narrow it down to one by thinking about what word speaks to them or what word they feel they really need from the school year.
That's when the writing continues and I show them the following instructions (an activity that does require some basic research as they have to find a definition, quotes, images, etc):
Example of OLW Writing Task:
Select ONE Word and consider what do you NEED for this year/semester (not necessarily what you WANT).
Explain how/why you decided on this word.
Set goals for what you will do with this word: in our classroom, at school, at home, at work, etc.
Dig deeper with the word: find quotes, images, synonyms, antonyms, history, etc.
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Beyond the First Day OLW
Finally, this becomes one of their first assignments in my class as I tell them that they are to create a product that demonstrates their One Little Word to the class. The key word here is "product" as I don't necessarily want them forcing themselves to write an essay or create a slideshow.
I try to emphasize that as long as it displays their word, a definition, their goals, and some visuals they can be as creative as they like with this project. I'll admit I mostly end up with posters or slideshows, but I have also gotten artwork, playlists, and even a giant origami fortune teller one year!
The beauty is that I don't let this become just a one and done project. As the year progresses, I do not let them forget their chosen One Little Word (mostly because I write it down by their name for attendance). I will sometimes put it as a writing prompt to start the day. Other times I ask them about their word as an attendance question. And always the words are displayed around the room throughout the year.
It's become a bit of a tradition in my classroom these past few years and I make sure to practice it with my students as well. I enjoy this as a way of both getting them to write and building community from day one.
You’re welcome to share how YOU use OLW projects in your classroom in the comments below or join us at the Academy for support in your own one little word: writing!
