Your Students Can Write An Entire Novel in a Month

If you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo, you’re totally missing out. This incredibly popular month-long challenge is a unique and notable way to present your students with a big undertaking. But it’s also the perfect opportunity to teach writing in a way that stretches their creativity and shows them what they’re really capable of.

And best of all? The challenge is a hub for writers all over the world. By entering, students not only track their progress and test their imaginations… they also have the chance to meet fellow writers. They can earn writing and participation badges too. They can even write about their journey to write a novel in a month and how it made them feel to dig into this process.

Now, when you’re thinking about using NaNoWriMo in the classroom, you might be tempted to wonder if your students are up to the challenge. Is it really possible to write an entire novel, of any length, in one single month? Worried your students won’t finish theirs? It’s perfectly okay if they don’t. Even though NaNoWriMo is about writing a novel in short time, it’s also about something else. It’s really about letting go and releasing your creativity while you explore the process of creating. For us writing teachers, there couldn’t be anything better, and you’ll be surprised at the results.

“By entering, students not only track their progress and test their imaginations… they also have the chance to meet fellow writers.”

Want more tips for using NaNoWriMo in your writing class? Get in touch!