Every day for the “Bell-Ringer” my students do a 5-minute quick-write in their Writer’s Notebook. Here are the instructions.
**Friday 9/25/26
The Prompt: What is something you are looking forward to? It could be something happening soon, something you hope happens someday, or even something small that you are looking forward to tomorrow. Write about it and explain what makes you look forward to it.
Write for the full five minutes until the timer goes off. Write fast. Don’t worry if you spell a word wrong or make a “mistake.” Just write. ** I have decided to post my own responses. Here it is.
Today I am looking forward to going kayaking on Hamlin Lake tomorrow. The weather looks perfect—upper 60s and sunshine and very light wind. My favorite kayaking is following the canoe trail through the carp ponds and portages on the far southeast end of the park. But that typically takes several hours to do, and I’ll be kayaking with J., so we’ll tool around the other parts, stopping off at little islands and watching for deer and waterfowl. I’m looking forward, also, to sleeping in the cool cabin this weekend, where I still say one night on a Thanksgiving break trip there, I got the best night of sleep I have ever had in my life. I like a cold room and ample blankets for sleeping and the overnight temperatures are supposed to be in the 40s. This is perfect. I am looking forward to reading my book on the back patio, drinking a giant coke from the gas station, and building a campfire. I’m looking forward to taking a run, a bike ride, and a walk in the woods.
That’s what I can do in about five minutes. The series will continue next week.
