How to help your child practice writing
Throughout the year we will practice many genres of writing. Each genre is unique but our writing process is not. We follow the same process every time for the BEST outcome. There are only five steps in our process.
STEP 1: PREWRITING ≈ THINK
· Decide on a topic to write about.
· Consider who will read or listen to your written work.
· Brainstorm ideas about the subject.
· Use a thinking map* to organize, list, and record ideas.
· If you need resources, find them early and do your research.
STEP 2: DRAFTING ≈ WRITE
· Put the information you researched into your own words.
· Write sentences and paragraphs even if they are not perfect.
· Read what you have written and judge if it says what you mean.
· Show it to others and ask for suggestions.
STEP 3: REVISING ≈ MAKE IT BETTER
· Read what you have written again.
· Think about what others said about it.
· Rearrange words or sentences.
· Take out or add parts.
· Replace overused or unclear words.
· Read your writing aloud to be sure it flows smoothly.
STEP 4: PROOFREADING ≈ MAKE IT CORRECT
· Be sure all sentences are complete.
· Correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
· Change words that are not used correctly.
· Have someone check your work.
· Recopy it correctly and neatly.
STEP 5: PUBLISHING ≈ SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT
· Read your writing aloud to a group.
· Create a book of your work.
· Send a copy to a friend or relative.
· Put your writing on display.
· Illustrate, perform, or set your creation to music.
· Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
You can support this process and reinforce this skill at home. Our first genre is narrative. Narratives tell a story in sequence. You can practice this skill at home by using the flow map* and sequencing words (eg., first, next, finally). Have your child write about their day, week-end, special event, etc.
* For a copy of our eight thinking maps, information you can map, and thinking processes used for each click
STEP 1: PREWRITING ≈ THINK
· Decide on a topic to write about.
· Consider who will read or listen to your written work.
· Brainstorm ideas about the subject.
· Use a thinking map* to organize, list, and record ideas.
· If you need resources, find them early and do your research.
STEP 2: DRAFTING ≈ WRITE
· Put the information you researched into your own words.
· Write sentences and paragraphs even if they are not perfect.
· Read what you have written and judge if it says what you mean.
· Show it to others and ask for suggestions.
STEP 3: REVISING ≈ MAKE IT BETTER
· Read what you have written again.
· Think about what others said about it.
· Rearrange words or sentences.
· Take out or add parts.
· Replace overused or unclear words.
· Read your writing aloud to be sure it flows smoothly.
STEP 4: PROOFREADING ≈ MAKE IT CORRECT
· Be sure all sentences are complete.
· Correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
· Change words that are not used correctly.
· Have someone check your work.
· Recopy it correctly and neatly.
STEP 5: PUBLISHING ≈ SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT
· Read your writing aloud to a group.
· Create a book of your work.
· Send a copy to a friend or relative.
· Put your writing on display.
· Illustrate, perform, or set your creation to music.
· Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
You can support this process and reinforce this skill at home. Our first genre is narrative. Narratives tell a story in sequence. You can practice this skill at home by using the flow map* and sequencing words (eg., first, next, finally). Have your child write about their day, week-end, special event, etc.
* For a copy of our eight thinking maps, information you can map, and thinking processes used for each click