Each day students participate in an activity called "Sacred Writing Time" which consists of ten minutes dedicated to nothing but writing in their Writer's Notebooks. It was given this name due to the fact that no matter what else is happening, students can count on the fact that they will be given time to write in their notebooks.
Students are encouraged to come to class with a writing idea. However, they are provided with many writing ideas each day. They have a daily SWT PowerPoint slide that lists ideas as well as a monthly BINGO card with twenty different prompts.
Students are given a daily grade for their Writer's Notebooks. If students write for the full ten minutes (doodling, coloring, and homework does not count) they will earn five SWT points.
Writer's Notebooks can be stored in the classroom or taken home and shared with family. However, they need to be brought back to class each day.