Ten-Minute Writing

Students write as much as they can on a topic in 10 minutes without stopping.

Procedure

1. Give a topic (or let students choose).
2. Set a 10-minute timer.
3. Students write continuously — no stopping, no erasing, no worrying about errors.
4. Count words written and record the number.
5. Optional: share one interesting sentence with a partner.

Tips

• The only rule is "don't stop writing." If stuck, write "I don't know what to write" until an idea comes.
• Track word counts over weeks to show fluency growth.