How was No Pens Day for you?

Who can remember what we did? Go through the lessons from the day, talking about what you all did as part of No Pens Day Wednesday. You weren’t allowed to use your pen/pencil, so instead you.... E.g. ‘instead of writing stories, we got in to a group and made one up together’ or ‘we had lots of discussions about our different estimates in science, instead of just writing down what we thought’

Likes and dislikes Split students in to small discussion groups. In their groups, they need to think about at least two things that they liked about NPDW and at least one thing that they didn’t like as much. If groups can think of more advantages/disadvantages, then great! Each group should nominate one person from the group to share their group’s likes/dislikes with the group.

What would make the day better? In the same groups, think about how no Pens Day could be a better event? What could the teachers/pupils do differently next time that would make it more enjoyable as a day? Again, once groups have had the opportunity for some small group discussion, one person should be nominated to share their ideas with the other groups.

What has No Pens Day helped you get better at? In pairs or small groups, ask students to reflect on how a day without writing has helped them with their communication skills – maybe they feel as though they’ve listened better to other people, or have been more confident speaking in a group, or have found it easier to say what they’re thinking, rather than having to write it down....

Would you like to do a No Pens Day Wednesday again? Vote with your feet! Would you like to do a No Pens Day Wednesday again? Print out the happy and sad faces and place them at different sides of the classroom. Ask pupils to go and stand near the happy face if they would like to do NPDW again, or the sad face if they wouldn’t. Ask some pupils why they made their choice.