Ideas for Teaching Writing in the Primary Grades
Primary students span a wide spectrum when it comes to writing skills. Planning a variety of writing activities allows all students to improve their writing and work at their current level. The more practice the kids get, the more their writing will improve. Incorporating a variety of literature into the classroom provides a model for the students. Incorporate as many reading and writing experiences as possible at an early age.
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Journals
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Journals provide the kids with an informal place to practice their writing. Because most teachers don't focus as much on punctuation and grammar in journals, the kids are free to express themselves with written words. With daily journal practice, most kids naturally improve so they are using complete sentences, capitalization, punctuation and other improved writing skills. Journals work well in the primary grades because each child works on his own so the differences in writing abilities aren't a factor. Giving the kids a writing prompt is helpful at the primary grade level so the kids don't struggle with thinking of a writing topic.
Sandwich Paragraphs
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The sandwich paragraph is a technique to teach young students how to structure a paragraph. A graphic organizer that looks like an actual sandwich helps the kids include all the parts. The top bun of the sandwich contains the topic sentence of the paragraph. The bottom bun holds the concluding sentence that sums up the entire paragraph. The meat, pickles, lettuce, cheese or other toppings hold the detail sentences that complement the topic sentence. Just like the buns hold the sandwich fillings together, the topic and concluding sentences hold the details of the paragraph together. To practice the concept, make a large sandwich diagram. Choose a paragraph with a good structure. Write each sentence of the paragraph on a sentence strip. Display the sentences in mixed up order. The kids decide which sentences go in the different parts of the sandwich to make a logical paragraph.
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Post Office Center
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A post office learning center gives the kids a chance to practice their writing skills. Make a pretend mail box from a cardboard box. Cover it with construction paper and cut a slot in it. The center also needs lots of paper and envelopes. The kids write a letter and place it in an envelope before mailing it in the pretend mail box. Encourage them to write letters to their classmates which the mail person can then deliver.
Pen Pals
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Pen pals seems like an overused idea, but it offers an opportunity for writing instruction. To easily manage the pen pal system, set it up with another classroom in the school. Choosing an older grade level provides your primary students the chance to see higher level writing skills. The pen pal letters become an example for the primary students which might help them improve their own writing skills. The project can also build stronger relationships between the different grade levels. Plan collaborative activities with the other class with the older and younger child writing a story together or making a homemade book.
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References
- Photo Credit girl writing image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
