Tips to Teach Writing as a Process
I have found that teaching writing as a process helped my students ‘flourish' as writers! It has even helped me as a teacher and author! When students learn that writing is a process, and that it does not have to be ‘perfect' at the beginning, a load of pressure is taken away and they can relax into sharing their thoughts through writing.
I created these differentiated resources for my students when I was teaching third grade. I found that many students could not organize their thoughts and write on a specific topic. Since I had students with skills ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade that I needed to created differentiated resources so that all the students could become stronger and more confident writers.
Students love to use the Writing Process Clip Chart to track their progress as they work though a writing project.
If you would like to use this clip chart in your classroom, look for the download link at the end of this post.
STEP 1 Pre-Write with Graphic Organizers
We use these graphic organizers all the time – either together as a class, in small groups, or individually. These pre-writing graphic organizers help us to ‘hear' our thoughts and to organize them.
STEP 2 Rough Drafts with Graphic Organizers
After we have our Pre-Write brain map filled out, we are ready for the next step in the writing process – the Rough Draft. Again, these graphic organizers make it so easy for students (and teachers :)) to start developing the writing piece. I have included lots of organizers for different genres of writing, as well as different levels to scaffold and differentiate for your students' needs.
These transition words are perfect for your writing focus wall or pocket chart. Your students' writing will take on a new level of maturity as they learn to add transition words to each paragraph.
STEPS 3 & 4 Edit & Revise with Rubrics
COPS & ARMS will make Editing and Revising are so much easier to learn for your students – and so much easier to teach!
I have included 2 styles of Rubrics using these acronyms for each step. One rubric is for editing or revising with a partner, and the other is for editing or revising individually.
STEP 5 Publish
Students love this last step of the writing process, Publishing! They love it because they have put so much effort into their writing piece and are proud to publish.
I consider sharing a part of the Publishing Process – the students love to share what they have created!
Here are a few ways that we have shared in my classroom.
- Read with a Partner
- Read in Small Groups
- Read to the Class
- Read to Parent
What are some ways you have your students share their writing?
ORGANIZE YOUR WRITING RESOURCES
Have you ever missed that amazing ‘teachable moment' to springboard into a writing project because you didn't have a class set of graphic organizers at your fingertips? I know I sure have! (sigh)Don't let it happen again!
One summer I worked to organize my writing resources, using the resources from this pack. I made a class set of the graphic organizers for each step. After I set it up, I had a parent helper keep it stocked for us. Ready for that moment!
Here is what some happy teachers are saying about this Paragraph Writing Kit:
“This is an absolutely wonderful for teaching writing. I love all the options it provided – the graphic organizers are great and I got many compliments from other teachers on them. ~ Martha
“Tested and used in my classroom and I have had amazing results! Thank you so much for creating such a valuable resource, Peggy. I am once again implementing this product into my classroom next year.” ~Buyer
“This is such a great resource! I use it with my fourth graders at the beginning of the year to review how to write a paragraph, and it makes the rest of the year so much easier in writing.” ~ Kellye
Needing more inspiration for each month? Each month includes vocabulary cards, journal writing, informative/explanatory writing, research writing, opinion writing, narrative writing and tons of fun publishing papers! Check out my monthly Paragraph Writing Resources.
Are you looking for a way to reduce distractions for your little writers and have writing tools at their fingertips? Check out this post on WRITING OFFICES.
If you would like the FREE Writing Process Clip Chart . . . It is in my Free Resource Library.
Fill out the form below and receive the KEY to the FREE Library!
My name is Peggy Means. I am a child of God and a retired elementary teacher. I loved teaching and creating engaging resources for my students. Now, I love sharing my resources and ideas with busy teachers around the world.
