MCTE Fall 2026 Conference

How can elementary students discover that their stories, communities, and voices matter? This session explores how place-based writing practices can strengthen writing identity and engagement for young writers in both classroom and after-school settings. Participants will experience authentic writing invitations rooted in students’ lived experiences, examine how free-choice writing nurtures agency and confidence, and learn how offering prompt choices—even for kindergarten students—supports ownership and stamina. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, adaptable writing routines, and student-centered ideas for helping children write themselves into the world around them.