Practice the Way You Play: Writing Accountability & Critical Thinking in the Middle School

One of a student’s favorite questions to ask is: When will I ever use this again? As a reading teacher who pulls out a calculator every time she sits down to grade, or even leaves a tip when eating out, I can completely empathize with this question. However, writing – and writing proficiently – is a skill that will live with students long after leaving the halls of the Simmons building.

We recently introduced new writing accountability guidelines across all classes and all students in 5th-8th grades and were naturally (and not surprisingly) met with a bit of pushback.

Why do I need to write in complete sentences in math or science?

Why do I need to restate the question when I write my answer? 

As Mrs. Connor stated to her class, “You practice the way you play.” One can’t expect to show up to a football or basketball game having shown little effort in practice, expecting to perform to the best of their abilities. Likewise, students who don’t practice effective writing or critical thinking techniques in the day-to-day classroom setting cannot expect to perform well on a final writing essay. Students should practice like it matters, because it does. While our jobs consist largely of preparing students for the next grade level or for upper school, we are also preparing students for life. Students in middle school have plenty of time to change their minds when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, but no matter their final answer, the critical thinking skills they are developing now will build confidence for years to come.

Writing effectively feeds critical thinking, and every job requires someone who knows how to read and write well. Doctors and scientists spend time conducting research, which is later compiled into reports and published. Nail technicians, massage therapists, and cosmetologists are tasked with communicating effectively with clients. Teachers of all grade levels and subjects create assignments and lessons appropriate for different types of students. Human Resources professionals write policies and procedures in the workplace. Lawyers draft and deliver arguments. Even influencers write scripts for podcasts, content creation, or sponsored content, salesmen use critical thinking to promote products to customers. Regardless of the career path a student chooses to take, writing and critical thinking are the foundation for lasting success.