How to Teach Writing to Children

Young writers work through the stages of the writing process at their own pace.

Many teachers opt to teach writing in a writer's workshop format, which allows teachers the flexibility of giving each student individual instruction. While it takes time to establish the expectations and routines of a writer's workshop, children learn to become independent writers engaged in writing, editing and revising their own drafts. Students learn to offer and accept constructive criticism of their own and others' work through conferences. Children practice evaluating the works of published authors to identify elements of the author's craft and apply them to their own stories. Students celebrate their efforts by "publishing" their final drafts.

Things You'll Need

• Book or poem
• Cards with children's names
• Bulletin board
• Construction paper
• Stapler

Instructions

Mini-Lesson

1. Read a selection from a fiction or non-fiction book, or a poem.

2. Point out details such as characterization, story structure or transitional phrases that you want students to incorporate into their writing.

3. Model writing a few sentences using the technique highlighted in the book or poem.

4. Ask students to identify their current stage of the writing process by responding verbally or by moving a name card on a bulletin board divided into sections for each stage. Since children work at different paces, the class will not typically work on the same stage at the same time.

Teacher Conferences

1. Tell students to begin writing.

2. Confer with a few children individually or in small groups each day.

3. Ask questions to help the student identify ways to improve his writing. Avoid directly telling the student what to do. Instead, prompt the student to make changes on his own.

4. Recognize and praise students' efforts to incorporate the writing technique taught in the day's mini-lesson.

Peer Conferences

1. Model offering constructive criticism during individual teacher conferences. This helps students understand that their role is to guide and prompt a classmate, rather than taking over someone else's work.

2. Direct students to confer with their peers if they have questions about content, clarity, grammar or mechanics.

3. Walk around the room and listen in on peer conferences, assisting when necessary.

Sharing

1. Ask students who incorporated the writing technique from the mini-lesson to read aloud parts of their writing to the entire class.

2. Call on students to compliment or question the writer about his work.

3. Ask volunteers who would like additional feedback on their stories to share them with the class, if time permits.

Publishing

1. Help children polish their writing to create a final draft.

2. Tell students to illustrate the story and make a cover for the book out of construction paper.

3. Staple the book and cover together.

4. Display the book on the class bookshelf, in the hallway or on a bulletin board to "publish" it.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice the writer's workshop routines several times before beginning teacher conferences.

• Model teacher conferences several times before beginning peer conferences.

References

• Teachers First: Writer's Workshop

Resources

• Write in the Middle: Best Practices in Teaching Writing
• National Writing Project: 30 Ideas for Teaching Writing