It's a great experience - even if the piece is never published. Here's something else to keep in mind. Conduct brainstorming sessions to find additional creative ways to publish students' work in your own classroom, school, and community. A teacher I once met had her class create a book of riddles to share with the residents of a nursing home. Other teachers have children bind and illustrate their stories and then place the bound versions in a classroom library for others to borrow.
Some teachers help youngsters create a classroom newsletter.
Another avenue is your local newspaper. Many papers will print students' letters to the editor about community issues or school events. These simple ideas are just a few wonderful ways to make every child feel like a published author - and improve his or her language arts skills. Poems, drawings, and stories from kids 3 to 13. Jokes, poems, artwork, and short stories from kids 6 to 10.