Sticky Note Compliments: A Writing Feedback Technique

Hi All! I want to share a fun way that I have my students give each other feedback when they finish a writing piece. Not only do they love it, but it’s easy to do and is a great way to wrap a writing project up.

All you need are some sticky notes and your student’s writing.

Sticky Note Compliments 5

(More pictures at the end of the post. Make sure you scroll down to see them!)

Here’s what you do:

1. Have each student take out their writing piece and place it on their desk.

2. Give each students some sticky notes (I normally do 3-5) and have them put their name at the bottom.

3. Have students stand up behind their seat with a pencil and their sticky notes.

4. This works best if your students are sitting in groups. I have each group rotate to a new group and sit in a classmate’s seat.

5. Each student then reads the writing of the person whose seat they’re sitting in.

6. When they’re done, they write a compliment about the person’s writing. I tell my students to be specific. “It’s cool!” or “It’s good!” won’t do.

7. They then stick their sticky note onto the person’s desk, make sure their writing is neat like when they got there and stand up behind the person’s seat when they’re done.

8. Then, they rotate to the next group and repeat. They keep going around until they get back to their own group and sit in their own seat.

9. When they get back to their own seat, each student gets to read their compliments (this is always their favorite part) and then share out their favorite compliment with the class.

10. Last, my kiddos get to keep their compliments. I have some that keep all of them inside of their folder all year long. It is SUCH a confidence boost!

The best part is that my students (even the ones who aren’t the best writers) get a confidence boost about something they did well. They also get to see the quality of other students work which tends to push them to do better. Here are some examples of compliments from our informational books.

Sticky Note Compliments 4

Sticky Note Compliments 2

Sticky Note Compliments 3

Sticky Note Compliments 1

Primary Paradise Signature


Primary Paradise

I have always had a passion for teaching and sharing with others and look forward to sharing my ideas with you!