With positive encouragement, most students will. A tie-in to Native Americans can be made in social studies by discussing the culture of various groups and showing photographs of artifacts. Check the school library for books on Native American artifacts. As a whole class activity you can make a quilt with the designs. Just have the students make their designs in the same orientation, landscape or portrait.
Some children are real hams.
This works best with literature that they are already familiar with. Do not attempt this lesson with classes that have problems with behavior, it will just make matters worse. Using an age appropriate book read up to key point in the book and ask the children to write what happens next. Have them pair up and critique each others work. This lesson works best with older students who have been exposed to the writing process from their regular teacher.