Let Students Write Their Masterpiece

Having used sustained silent reading (SSR) to motivate reluctant readers in secondary level classes, Steve Gardiner uses the writing equivalent of SSR with secondary students who he wants to motivate and strengthen as authors. He describes the masterpiece assignment he devised and uses with students. Students work all school year on an extended writing project--for which they choose the genre, topic, and approach--that must reach at least 48 pages. Gardiner requires students to turn in a set amount of pages every six weeks and gives students feedback and individual conferencing as needed--but students work independently on their "masterpieces." The masterpiece assignment builds both motivation and resilience as students learn to work independently, make choices, and structure their time.