National Day on Writing

On October 20^th, the country will once again celebrate National Day on Writing. This “holiday” came about as an “initiative built on the premise that writing is critical to literacy.” Each year since 2009, National Council of Teachers of English and other collaborators gather at writing events, in classrooms, and online to bring the necessary attention to this important conversation. The resources below will help you and your students participate in your own celebration. Embrace this opportunity to demonstrate to students the importance of writing in our lives.

• Check out the NCTE website. Here you will find resources, event dates, and lists of ideas on how you and your students might join in.

• ReadWriteThink partners with the NCTE and International Literacy Association to provide you with lesson plans, a resource list, grade-level specific activities, as well as a list of other useful websites associated with writing.

• The New York Times provides another rich resource for teachers, students, and parents. The Learning Network offers writing prompts, picture prompts, new stories, lesson plans, and endless other activities and ideas.

• Last, but certainly not least, check out two of many TEDtalks that emphasize the importance of writing. A quick YouTube search is sure to turn up something of use.
  • Why You Should Write | Misan Sagay
  • Why I Write: Natasha Trethewey on Poetry, History, and Social Justice