Beginning of the year story idea

Wondering how to get your students to get excited about writing? Try "rolling out the red carpet". What do you think of when you see a red carpet rolled out? Most of us think that someone special must be coming.
Anytime we had a guest come to my classroom, they always entered by walking on the red carpet we had waiting at the classroom door. It was a long piece of red material, very inexpensive to purchase.
Roll out the red carpet. Brainstorm what they would want to know about a "red carpet guest" and list their ideas on the board. Then ask your students to write about who is coming and why they would get the "red carpet treatment". Encourage them to descibe the person and explain what the person will share with the class. The ideas you have on the board should help those students who are having trouble thinking of what to write. You may be surprised to see who your students think is worthy of a "red carpet" walk.
Sharing those stories when you have a few minutes before going to lunch or recess is a great way to keep the "red carpet idea" going.