How I Teach Writing

     In my ten years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to attend several writing workshops. I have also read blogs and watched videos on how others teach writing. However, every time I walked away from a writing PD I was still confused and overwhelmed. I felt they gave me great advice and ideas but they never really told me where to start or how to finish a writing assignment.

    I have taught 1st, 3rd and 4th grade. I personally feel that writing is a very important component to reading comprehension and fluency. It helps students  to make connections between reading, grammar, and writing. Due to these reasons, I have incorporated the writing process in my daily schedule for several years. I love to teach writing using art projects, directed drawings, drawing starts, or experiences. I feel this helps to encourage ownership and engagement. I try to make writing an enjoyable experience.

Due to research I know:

• Students need to write daily.
• Students need to incorporate the writing process when writing an essay.
• Students need to be aware of their audience.
• Teachers need to create a community of writers
• Teachers need to MODEL  MODEL, MODEL

I have combined research, previous professional development, my teaching personality,  the time frame available in my classroom, and my passion to teach writing to create a weekly writing plan. I feel that my students’ state test scores are proof that this plan works. I encourage you to utilize this plan to gain confidence on how to start and finish a writing assignment or use it as guide to develop your own writing plan.

How I plan my week:

I start by selecting the writing genre. (descriptive, narrative, expository, or opinion)  Next I select a common core grade level writing standard and create a learning target. Once I create a learning target I focus on success criteria.

4th Grade Example:

Learning Target: I can use transitional words to organize the sequence of events in a narrative story.

Success Criteria: (checklist)

• Write a three paragraph essay
• Use transitional words
• Write a introduction 3-5 sentences
• Write a body 6 + sentences
• Write a conclusion 3-5 sentences
• Use complete sentences
• Use correct capitalization and punctuation

Day 1: I select:

• A directed drawing
• A drawing start
• A picture book
• Provide an experience (such as carving a pumpkin or picking four leaf clovers)

Day 2: I model how to complete a writing web

Students  complete a writing web in their writing notebooks
Day 3: Depends on my students writing level. If they need more guidance we complete a writing outline. If they are able to write without an  outline I model how to write the essay using the prewriting web. I encourage students to start writing their rough draft using their web.
Day 4: If we used an outline, I model how to use the outline to write a three paragraph essay. Then I encourage the students start writing their rough draft.
If we did not use an outline, I allow students to continue to finish their rough draft. I encourage students to use peer editing. I am also available for conferences and editing.
Day 5: If students have edited their work  and I have checked their writing. I encourage them to rewrite their essay on new lined paper or type their story.

My Teachers Pay Teachers Writing Resource -Free

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