Writing in the Round is an activity to motivate students to want to write, to logically order a story paying attention to structure, and to help students keep to the storyline.

Directions:

1. The students will need their writing journals or, if you are not utilizing these in your classroom, paper and a writing utensil.
2. Select a writing topic appropriate for your students' grade level.
3. Read the topic aloud, answering any questions your students may have about it.
4. They should begin writing about the topic. Remind them to begin with an introduction. Allow them about 3-5 minutes of quiet writing time, and then call a stop.
5. Have them pass their journals or papers to the person on their right.
6. They are to read the introductions written by the first writer. Then they are to begin writing where the original author left off.
7. After a few minutes have them stop and switch journals or papers again. Remember to allow your students ample time to read the compositions. I find I need to add more time for each switch since the works are becoming lengthier.
8. Continue in this manner for as long as time or your students' attention spans allow. Tell the last writer that he/she should provide the conclusion to the piece.
9. Return the journal or paper to its original owner allowing time for it to be read. You may want to share a few pieces, commenting on structure and storyline.
10. Keep these pieces for future proofreading and editing practice.