Teaching Writing Resources for High School and Middle School

Develop your middle and high school students’ writing skills with this collection of free resources for teachers, including activity ideas, full lesson plans, mentor texts and more. Most resources are ideal or adaptable for grades 8-12.

The teaching writing resources on this page are provided for free from Write the World and our partners as part of our mission to empower educators as they build students’ literacy, preparing learners for success in school, career, and life.

Featured: Global Writing Platform

Our free online writing platform is designed to support student writers ages 13-19 and their teachers.

You can request a private online group for your classroom where you and your students can write, conduct rubric-based peer and expert review, respond to prompts, upload curricula, facilitate portfolio assessment, and more.

Join the Community

Songwriting Resources

June 2023 Competition

Resources for incorporating songwriting activities into the classroom.

Tips for Using Daily Writing Prompts

How to use daily writing prompts to build a culture of writing in the classroom.

Climate Poetry Lesson Plan

Flexible lesson plan to guide students through climate poetry writing.

Climate Advocacy Writing Lesson Plan

90-120 minute flexible lesson plan for climate advocacy letter writing.

Climate Flash Fiction Lesson Plan

45-90 minute flexible lesson plan for flash fiction writing on climate topics.

Food Writing Resources

May 2023 Competition

Resources for incorporating food writing activities into the classroom.

Environmental Writing Samples

Mentor texts from students on environmental writing topics.

Writing Competitions for Students

Students aged 13-19 are eligible to enter our free monthly writing competitions on writetheworld.org. See details.

Competitions are based on a topic or writing style, and encourage students to dig deeper into the writing process, try out new genres, and share their work with a community of eager readers.

LEARN MORE

Competition Calendar Poster

Students aged 13-19 are eligible to enter our free monthly writing competitions on writetheworld.org.

Download one of our competition posters to print and hang on your classroom wall or keep a digital copy for reference.

Download 18 x 24

Download 11 x 17

Competition Calendar Handout

Students aged 13-19 are eligible to enter our free monthly writing competitions on writetheworld.org.

Download a competition handout to print and distribute to students, or share a digital copy.

Download 8.5 x 11

Download A4

Summer Camp Handout

Download the summer camp schedule to share with students (ages 13-19) and parents.

The Art of Teaching Writing

Teaching writing is challenging but rewarding. Helping teenagers become effective writers means developing communication skills that will serve them long beyond their time in the classroom. Research shows that:

Adolescents who can effectively express their thoughts and ideas through writing are more likely to excel in their studies and future careers.
Writing can be a therapeutic outlet for teens to explore their emotions and develop self-awareness.
Writing encourages critical thinking and the ability to articulate complex ideas.

By teaching teens how to write persuasively and coherently, we empower them to become informed and engaged global citizens capable of making a positive impact on the world around them.

Educator Resources for Teaching Writing