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Step 1
Have your students keep all of their writing assignments in a journal. This makes it easier for them to keep track of their compositions and easier for you to evaluate them.
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Step 2
Have them write every day in class. Two pages of double-spaced writing every day is usually a good requirement.
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Step 3
Tie the journal to your literacy program. For example, if you are reading a book together as a class, you can have your students write an alternate ending to the story or write their own predictions for the next chapter.
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Step 4
Assign some more personal assignments. You can have your students tell you about their favorite day, for example, or something they did over the summer.
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Step 5
As the students develop their skills, begin to do lessons on what makes a story. Write a few stories as a class, showing the students how to introduce the characters, write the main action and end the story.
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Step 6
Allow the students to do some narrative writing in small groups. Have them first plan out the story by drawing and describing the characters, setting and obstacles. Then have each student write a part of the story.
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Step 7
Put together a book as a class. Allow each student to pick his favorite piece of writing to include in the book. Give a copy out to each student. Make them feel good about themselves and their writing.
