1. Sign up for NaNoWriMo, and be sure to register as an "Educator."
2. Fill in your profile information. Click on "My NaNoWriMo" and you'll see three options on the left-hand menu bar:
- Click on "Edit Author Info" to tell us more about you.
- Click on "Edit Novel Info" to tell us more about your novel and set your word-count goal.
- Click on "Edit User Settings" to upload a photo, create your forum signature, and update your time zone.
3. Use our Resources for Educators. This is where you'll find our free classroom kit, lesson plans, Virtual Classroom how-to, and NEO loaner program. You can also meet fellow educators in our Teachers Lounge forum.
4. In October, use our Common Core-adapted curricula and workbooks to help your students plan their novels.
5. Optional: Help your students sign up on our website. They'll need to have accounts to be part of your Virtual Classroom, and to update their word counts online.
- Please see "How Does NaNoWriMo Work for Young Writers?" for all steps.
6. On November 1, students begin writing their novels on computer or with pen and paper. Many educators hold kick-off parties to get their classes excited.
7. Students write like crazy. Look for regular pep talks and news updates to keep them motivated.
8. Students update their word counts throughout November. Click on "My NaNoWriMo" → "Edit Novel Info", or add stickers to the classroom progress chart.
9. Optional: Starting on November 25, students validate their word counts. Click on "My NaNoWriMo" → "Edit Novel Info", and paste the full text of a novel in the Word Count Validator. If it meets the student's goal, he or she wins!
- Note: Students must complete this step by 11:59 PM (local time) on November 30 in order to officially win.
10. On December 1, celebrate students' month of noveling. Distribute winner and participant certificates and share the "I Wrote a Novel! Now What?" page. Most importantly, congratulate them on a job well done. Many educators hold "Thank Goodness It's Over" (TGIO) parties to mark the occasion.
And that's it! If you have any additional questions, check our FAQs or send us a message.
