The best time to reinforce essential writing concepts and set expectations is right before students pick up their pencils to write. In short, I train my students to begin a piece of writing with the end in mind. Clearly, I do this review and reinforcement before large...
Teaching writing across the curriculum is a skill. And so is creating effective writing prompts and assignments. To be highly effective in teaching writing across the curriculum, teachers need to be able to create writing prompts and assignments that teach two things:...
Over the years, I’ve seen many classes where students seem to write about anything that they want to write about. And there is always some kind of research that can support this unstructured, unfocused writing activity. On the other hand, the research on teaching...
Where Do You Find Released Writing Prompts? Are you looking for a fabulous collection of released writing prompts from state writing assessments? Would 114 PAGES of these released writing prompts be enough? If so, you have landed on the right page! Below you will find...
It’s critical to review and familiarize your students with writing prompt keywords and structure before a state or district writing assessment. We aim to prevent our students from freezing like deer in headlights. Most writing prompts across all 50 states look much...
Be sure to check back for the Thanksgiving writing prompts coming soon. You may also enjoy “Back to School Writing Prompts.” Remember: Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay is the fastest, most effective way to teach children essay writing… Guaranteed! If you...
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! Writing assignments for the beginning of a new school year often focus on these four areas: 1. “All About Me” Writing Activities and Assignments: This is a time-honored beginning-of-the-school-year writing tradition. It...
Spring testing... just around the corner. I feel a chill. We practiced writing from time-to-time throughout the school year… Actually, I guess it was really just grammar. Are the students prepared? Hey wait! Winters gone. It’s spring. Time for a new beginning! Yes...
Writing Prompts and Story Ideas – Summer Be sure to learn more about how to use writing prompts with students here: 1. Using Writing Prompts with Kids: Tips, Tricks, Pros and Cons of Writing Prompts 2. How to Use Writing Prompts in Teaching Writing Wishing you and...
Christmas is a wonderful time of year for student writing. There is a very high level of student motivation! Student interest and motivation stays high when students write about Christmas coming from different angles and with different purposes. Here is a great list...
Teachers must have a purpose for their writing prompts and assignments. However, sometimes teachers don’t think a great deal about what their purpose is when they put a writing prompt up on the front board. In fact, their thought process may only go as far as this:...
