Math (and Writing)

We do a 5 minute timed write daily.  I usually give them a topic to write about, which I have mixed feelings about, but I see some children write the same exact thing over and over again, which is not what I want.

Anyways, at the end of the 5 minute, they count up all of their words.  They write their number on the board.  Then they average it.  I record how many words they write each time, and tell them they have to beat their previous score.  If they do, they get a "credit." Which are these little stars- I don't know where they came from, or what their purpose is, but it works great for us! I think maybe I should give the highest average team a "credit" too...