Using the fourth grade writing prompts you can even encourage your child to practice their writing skills. It can be added to their daily journal.
Remember when I wrote about what had been going on with Narrative Writing Lessons a little while ago? That post was actually one that I used in my class with my kids (an idea I stumbled upon last y…
150+ fun, creative and thoughtful 4th grade writing prompts to encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings.
These 4th grade anchor charts reinforce concepts for reading, science, math, behavior management, environmentalism, and more!
Paragraph writing is a big challenge for many students. This post includes a step-by-step method to help your students write great paragraphs in no time.
Did you think teaching students to write would be a snap? I mean, you are a college-educated, certified individual. How hard could it possibly be? Well, it’s a challenge, especially when just starting out. In my classroom,
Steal these for your writing unit!
By using summer writing prompts for 3rd grade, your child can create a dynamic journal filled with a variety of writing samples. Take a look today!
This list of journal starters is sure to help your fourth-grader develop an entirely new outlook on writing and the opportunities that journaling can bring.
Looking for a fun way to introduce the writing process to your students? What about using playdough? Come grab a fun & hands on lesson for your classroom!
Informational writing can be a very new type of writing for many elementary students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. Primary students are usually used to writing in their daily journal or creating fictional
Analyzing writing curriculums, planning writing workshop and teaching writing lessons can be overwhelming. You might think, how am I going to fit everything in and produce successful writers? Where do I start? What skills do they need? This post will share the 7 BASIC WRITING LESSONS that every teacher should teach! With this basic knowledge, students will be able to perform other writing assignments more effectively. The following skills are not only effective in upper elementary, they are often needed at the middle school level for review or the primary level for differentiation. So yes, every teacher should teach them! If you start with these 7 fundamental skills, it will set the expectations for your writing lessons and assignments throughout the year! Frequently Asked Questions What are the basic skills and what order should I teach them? Sentence Structure 1. Complete Sentences Lesson for complete sentences 2. Fragments Lesson for fragments 3. Run-ons Lesson for run-ons Paragraph Writing 4. Topic Sentences Lesson for topic sentences 5. Relevant Details Lesson for relevant details 6. Transition Words Lesson for transition words 7. Closing Sentences Lesson for closing sentences How much time should I dedicate to teaching these fundamental skills? I recommend one day for each skill. If you spend a whole writing block for each skill, students will benefit from the practice. How do I teach each skill? First: Start with an anchor chart explaining the skill. (See each lesson link above for effective anchor charts.) Second: Provide examples. Students can share examples too! Next: Students should take notes. I love using Interactive Writing Notebooks to take notes. Research supports the use of interactive notebooks through studies on multiple intelligences, the brain and note taking. Here are a few videos to Set Up Interactive Writing Notebooks. Click photo for the Upper Elementary Version. A Primary Version is also available. Then: Identify the skill. Provide practice sheets and task cards for students to practice identifying the skill in sentences and paragraphs. Last: Apply the skill. Students should have the opportunity to write their own sentence or paragraph to apply the particular skill. What if I can't fit the lesson in one writing block? If you can't extend the days to complete them, there are other ways to get the whole lesson in. You can put practice sheets or task cards in a center, or you can have students apply the skill for homework or morning work the next day. What if my students, some of my students, or absent students can't do interactive notebooks? Make a small anchor chart to put in their notebooks with the same information! If you don't have a printable poster, take a picture of the anchor chart you used in class and print them off! I hope you found this post helpful and your students become successful writers this year! Connect With Me! TPT Store Facebook Pinterest My Blog
These writing prompts for are full of interesting and creative questions to help kids think more about who they are and what unique qualities define them.
Anchor chart inspiration for elementary teachers. Use my Not-So-Pinteresty Anchor Charts for Reading, Math, Grammar, and Writing.
Follow this step-by-step lesson plan to teach your students how
"The Writing Plan Curriculum" Includes My 5 Favorite Go-To Writing Units! Most of these units consist of 5 initial lessons. At the end of these lessons, students will have the organizational knowledge needed to write a solid paragraph that they can later expand into an essay.
Hello Everyone!! Happy New year to all of you! The end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 have been very emotional for me. We started off our winter break visiting my son, Jordan in Indiana. He has made his way into the hearts of the people of southwest Indiana with his amazing storytelling and reporting for the local news station. And...He just bought his first house. We are so excited for him! We loved spending time with him over Christmas. --- On our drive back home, we kept getting texts, phone calls, and e-mails from friends about the 12 tornadoes that ravaged their way through the towns around our home in Texas. Oh my goodness---our emotions went from bliss to absolute heartbreak. So many of our friends lost everything, including a couple of teachers from our district. One of the elementary schools was hit and is now deemed unsafe. And sadly, 11 people lost their lives. The past few days have been filled with helping school and church groups gather needed supplies for those affected by this disaster. Texans do tend to jump in and help whenever needed!! The cleanup and rebuild will take years, but the support will be there. If you would like to help those in need during this time, here's a link to the red cross donation sight. Thank you in advance for sharing your blessings! http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/2015/12/28/how-to-help-tornado-victims/77965462/ These events really put things into perspective for me. What is important? Where should we put our passion? So many of us are blessed beyond measure. We take for granted who and what we have in our lives. Herein lies the resolution. Giving. The more you give, the more you receive. Throughout the coming year, I will continue to share things on this blog for anyone who can use them to help teachers, parents, and kids get excited about learning. Teaching is sharing. Teaching is giving. I will give the best I have. It may not always be perfect, it may not always fit everyone's bill, but, if what I share can help even one person, It is worthwhile!! So, having said all that, I am sharing a new unit. This one is all about Opinion Writing. You all know how much I love Lucy Calkins. This unit is based on her "Writing Reviews" book for first graders. When we get back from winter break, our firsties will be learning all about opinions and how to share them through writing. This unit is a precursor to one we will do on writing book reviews and other type of persuasive writing. It includes everything you need to print and go! Here are a few pics. The unit is about 32 pages. If you think you might be able to use any of this, simply click HERE for the printable download. As always, thanks for taking time out to stop by and read this little blog. I appreciate you! My New Year's wish for you is that you are surrounded by love and joy, and that you are blessed to be a blessing to others. If you are heading back to school next week, have a wonderful reunion with your littles. Give them the best you have!! Joyfully! Nancy
Expanding Sentences Anchor Chart and Mini-Lesson
Follow this step-by-step lesson plan to teach your students how
Hello Everyone!! Happy New year to all of you! The end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 have been very emotional for me. We started off our winter break visiting my son, Jordan in Indiana. He has made his way into the hearts of the people of southwest Indiana with his amazing storytelling and reporting for the local news station. And...He just bought his first house. We are so excited for him! We loved spending time with him over Christmas. --- On our drive back home, we kept getting texts, phone calls, and e-mails from friends about the 12 tornadoes that ravaged their way through the towns around our home in Texas. Oh my goodness---our emotions went from bliss to absolute heartbreak. So many of our friends lost everything, including a couple of teachers from our district. One of the elementary schools was hit and is now deemed unsafe. And sadly, 11 people lost their lives. The past few days have been filled with helping school and church groups gather needed supplies for those affected by this disaster. Texans do tend to jump in and help whenever needed!! The cleanup and rebuild will take years, but the support will be there. If you would like to help those in need during this time, here's a link to the red cross donation sight. Thank you in advance for sharing your blessings! http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/2015/12/28/how-to-help-tornado-victims/77965462/ These events really put things into perspective for me. What is important? Where should we put our passion? So many of us are blessed beyond measure. We take for granted who and what we have in our lives. Herein lies the resolution. Giving. The more you give, the more you receive. Throughout the coming year, I will continue to share things on this blog for anyone who can use them to help teachers, parents, and kids get excited about learning. Teaching is sharing. Teaching is giving. I will give the best I have. It may not always be perfect, it may not always fit everyone's bill, but, if what I share can help even one person, It is worthwhile!! So, having said all that, I am sharing a new unit. This one is all about Opinion Writing. You all know how much I love Lucy Calkins. This unit is based on her "Writing Reviews" book for first graders. When we get back from winter break, our firsties will be learning all about opinions and how to share them through writing. This unit is a precursor to one we will do on writing book reviews and other type of persuasive writing. It includes everything you need to print and go! Here are a few pics. The unit is about 32 pages. If you think you might be able to use any of this, simply click HERE for the printable download. As always, thanks for taking time out to stop by and read this little blog. I appreciate you! My New Year's wish for you is that you are surrounded by love and joy, and that you are blessed to be a blessing to others. If you are heading back to school next week, have a wonderful reunion with your littles. Give them the best you have!! Joyfully! Nancy
This fun introduction to Opinion Writing is great for kindergarten and first grade students. Your students will love expressing their opinions with these writing prompts! You will find 21 Opinion Writing prompts where students have to choose one or the other. For example: What is the best season - fall or summer? Students will circle and color the picture they feel best supports his/her opinion on the topic. They will then state his/her opinion and give reasons why. You will also find 15 more questions asking about favorites. I have provided 2 different types of paper for these prompts - one with a sentence starter and one without. I've also included a few more things: Opinion Writing poster Pre-writing Graphic Organizer Opinion Writing Journal Cover Opinion Writing Tips page Word Cards (Opinion Writing Starters, Transition Cards, Conclusion) Please download the preview to learn more! You can also check out a few free samples here. You may also be interested in this writing pack: Monthly Writing Prompts Don't forget that leaving feedback earns you points toward FREE TPT purchases! Also, follow me and be notified when new products are uploaded. New products are 50% off for the first 24 hours!
These opinion writing mentor text picture book read alouds are perfect to kick off opinion writing lessons in your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom.
15 More Creative Writing Prompts for Kids. As you read in my Summer Morning Routine for Kids post, I have the kids writing every morning in their...
Writing doesn’t have to be hard. Whenever I talk to fellow teachers about what they HATE teaching… it always seems to be writing. Why is that? I theorize that it’s because writing is very personal. There’s no cut and dry methods that work for ALL students. It is also time consuming to teach AND especially […]
When I look back to my first experience teaching five paragraph essays to fifth graders, I can remember how terribly unprepared I felt. I knew that the five paragraph essay format was what my students needed
Use these FREE and fun 3rd grade writing prompts and give your students a chance to write about the things that inspire them.
Usually when I make an anchor chart, it's for students. This one, however, is for a special group of educators I'm presenting for at an upcoming convention. I thought the resources were too good not to share!
Steal these for your writing unit!
Make the walls of your classroom work for you and your students! Ideas for planning a Writing Wall that will truly support your little writers.
Teaching narrative writing is one of my favorite things! Teaching writing is a challenge–but when students get engaged and can be creative, it’s our way to hook them! If you want to read about some GREAT narrative teaching tips, head over to my blog post on Upper Elementary Snapshots. Check out my ideas about teaching […]
Fun and creative prompts for narrative writing that will spark student's imagination. Plus mentor texts, rubrics, and other helpful resources.
The list of 2nd grade writing prompts here can help children to express their feelings and reflect on their emotions.
With so many types and formats of writing that we ask of students, it can be overwhelming for them to know where to start, what kinds of language to use, and what the structure of
I'm sharing 5 tips for How to Teach Informative Writing & details about the Informative Writing Units that have ALL you need to teach informational writing to your K, 1st or 2nd grade students.
4th Grade curriculum usually includes 4 types of writing. This chart summarizes expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative writing. It can be used as a reference and get you started with your lessons. 4 Types of Writing Printable Does your writing curriculum need supplements? Kids love this Opinion Writing resource that may help with your persuasive writing goals: Opinion Writing Here is a fun way to distribute the opinion writing prompts: 1. Place each prompt in a separate envelope. Do not seal. 2. Have students stand up. 3. Distribute one envelope to each student. Spread out the extra envelopes on a table. 4. Students look at their prompt but keep it a secret. 5. If the student wants to keep their prompt, they sit down with it. 6. If a student does not want the prompt, they may EITHER trade with a classmate or swap at the table. 7. Repeat step 6 one more time or for as long as your patience allows! 8. Students use an organizer and begin writing. Need just a graphic organizer for your own topics? Check out this print-and-go best seller for only $1.00! Personal Narrative Have you ever thought about having pen pals? Pen pal letter exchange can help students practice their writing skills. Check out this older post about how I teamed up with a teacher in California for a pen pal experience... Pen Pals! Once you team up with another teacher, you may want to use this friendly letter resource to get your kids started: Friendly Letter Writing Choice boards are all the rage and writing is no exception! Kids and teachers love these writing choice boards that can be used throughout the school year. One teacher states: "I used this during writers workshop. The kids really loved the variety of prompts and it was easy to implement every month." Writing Choice Boards Are you a subscriber yet? FREE Activity for new subscribers: Sign up for the Fourth Grade Frenzy newsletter! Click the star to follow my TpT store! ⭐
This construction classroom transformation is a fun and engaging way to review writing concepts before state testing!
3rd Grade Writing Worksheets can help kids step it up a notch in their writing skills. Practice paragraph and multi-paragraph compositions. Introduce them to simple thesis statements that are thought out and supported by research and organization. Teach how stories have a beginning, middle, and end. Prompt ideas in their story writing and more. Our […]
As adult writers, we have a clear idea of how we each personally attack a piece of writing. For me, I know that I tend to spend a lot of time collecting information, using sticky
