Grades K–12
Informational, Narrative, Persuasive, PoetryEducator
Every student has something to say.
It’s a belief that sits at the heart of this publication, and at the heart of our collective work: we believe, deeply, that every young person is a writer, and that every student has a story worth sharing.
We also know that for many students, writing can feel daunting, frustrating, or even pointless. One student may doubt their ideas, another may struggle to find a way into the work. These feelings are not just common in the classroom; they are feelings that every writer experiences at some point. And yet too often, students who struggle to fully engage in the writing process are described as “reluctant writers.”
We wondered, then, what “reluctant writer” actually means in a classroom context? And how might educators flip the script on this phrase so that we can find a better way to support writers who may need more motivation or guidance?
In early 2026, a team of 826 Digital Educator Leaders came together to unpack these questions, to acknowledge the barriers to writing that every student faces at some point, and to offer our perspectives on how to engage “reluctant” writers—which is to say, how to engage all writers, especially students who are struggling to get into the work.
The essays in this Educator Tool invite you to look closely at what that reluctance means, where it may stem from, and what you can do about it. Together, these essays affirm a simple but powerful idea: when we create the conditions for students to write with confidence, authenticity, and purpose, they will discover that their words matter—and that they always have.
by Shavonde Chase, Ashley Houston-King, Kathy Seipp, and Bryan Wilson, 826 Digital Educator Leaders
This Educator Tool shares practical tips and useful resources for teaching writing using mentor texts.
by 826 National
Publishing student writing is at the heart of 826's work. This Educator Tool shares more about our publishing process.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool shares a collection of 826 resources and Mentor Texts that foster creating social change through writing.
by 826 National
This guide offers an abundance of resources to help students practice the basic elements of short stories.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool supports you in building a classroom community through writing.
by 826 National
This tool provides educators resources for practicing elements of revision with their students.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool will help you pitch your proverbial tent at Camp 826 by sharing our best tips and tricks for getting the most out of 826 Digital.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 6-8 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
We take joy and creativity pretty seriously at 826. This new Educator Tool, available in three grade bands, shares more about how you can play with words in your learning space!
by 826 National
This Educator Tool shares a variety of prompts to help you springboard into journal writing with your students.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool provides you with resources to help students build their awareness of the diverse perspectives around them.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool is designed to support and inspire you and your students to explore the endless possibilities of poetry, wherever you are in your poetry journey.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool provides writing resources to use during the first week of school and beyond.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 3-5 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades K-2 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool shares resources to help you support your students' mental health through writing.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 9-12 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
This resource supports you in creating a safe and brave learning space, through the use of Community Agreements.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool is designed to help you support students along their journeys in positive identity development.
We are thrilled to have you as the newest member of our online community. Stay up-to-date on the the latest and most relevant resources, student publication opportunities, and what’s new with the 826 Digital community.
bookmark
download
Share