• Notebooks or paper
• Timer visible to students
• Writing prompt displayed
• Calm background music (optional)

Craft an engaging prompt connected to your learning goal. Set timer for 3-5 minutes. Establish routine: no stopping, no erasing, keep pen moving.

1. Display the prompt: 'Write about a time you felt brave even though you were scared.'
2. Explain quickwrite rules: Write for the entire time. Don't stop. Don't erase. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. If you're stuck, write 'I'm stuck' until a new idea comes.
3. The goal is to get thinking onto paper - this is a rough draft of your ideas.
4. Set timer for 4 minutes. Say 'Begin' and start timer.
5. Teacher writes too! Model the behavior you want to see.
6. No interruptions during writing time. If students look up, gesture to keep writing.
7. When timer sounds, students finish their current thought.
8. Optional: Count words (builds fluency awareness).
9. Partner share: Read your quickwrite to a partner. Listener just listens - no feedback yet.
10. Circle ideas in your quickwrite that you might want to develop further.

Shorten time for younger students or those with writing anxiety. Provide a word bank or image prompt for ELLs. For students with fine motor difficulties, allow voice recording. Challenge advanced students with longer times or more abstract prompts.

Quickwrites are typically ungraded to encourage risk-taking. Read for ideas and engagement, not mechanics. Note students who struggle to write continuously. Use content to plan instruction.