One of the super fun units of writing we conduct in first grade is HOW TO writing! The
firsties are excited to write everyday and I love teaching it!
When we start the unit, we make a large class list of things we are good at doing. I
like to make an anchor chart titled: Our Class SUPERSTAR list! Students raise their hands and share things they know how to do well. I try to direct students to share specific activities such as:
-making a necklace
-kicking a soccer ball
-making pancakes
-walking a dog
-jumping on the trampoline
-kicking a soccer ball
-making pancakes
-walking a dog
-jumping on the trampoline
I like to staple this poster to our Writing Wall so students can reference it throughout the whole unit!
Here is what my writing wall looks like in the middle of a unit, lots of anchor charts from our mini lessons for students to reference! Check out my WRITING WALL PACK HERE.
Next, I give each student their own superstar paper and have
them write their own lists of things they are good at doing. They will keep
these in their writing folders and look at them throughout the unit when they need help coming up with ideas.
Within the unit I do a ton of modeling. I model "how to" pieces throughout the unit
in the form of read alouds and I demonstrate my own writing process on anchor charts while doing a think aloud.
Click the photo to find these books on Amazon!
Last, I love to give my students fun opportunities to
publish their writing or complete a fun craftivity! I usually do a themed read aloud, writing prompt and small craft on Fridays.
We don’t always have a ton of time for arts and crafts
but I have created these easy coloring page toppers to go with each writing prompt and read aloud. Each of
these packs go with a fantastic “How to” book by Adam Wallace!
Click the image to find each writing pack in my tpt shop!
Happy Teaching!
