Quick Writing Tips for Younger Students

Use Graphic Organizers consistently

 Graphic organizers are simple tools that can help kids who normally have trouble with writing. It helps students organize their thoughts and breaks the writing into smaller pieces.  Graphic organizers are meant for jotting down ideas and not the full writing piece.

Teach the Writing Process

When using the writing process, students will be able to break writing into manageable chunks. Guiding students through the writing process helps them to think about each step of their writing.  They will be able to understand how skipping any step will lead to a less polished piece of writing.

Brainstorm using graphic organizers to connect ideas and structure for a writing piece. Have young students engage in whole-class brainstorming. Their brainstorm can consist of drawing pictures as well.   

Students will work independently when writing their Rough Draft. I would also suggest having your students skip lines when writing the draft.   This will help leave space for revising the piece. Another suggestion is to let students know that it’s okay to cross out and not erase writing on the rough draft.  This helps avoid frustration when mistakes are made.    

Show students the difference between revising and editing because they are different aspects of the process.  Revision is where students add details to make their writing better where editing is correcting any conventions in the writing.

  Let your students collaborate with their classmates to help develop language proficiency.  Let students have a choice in how they publish their final piece of writing. 

Here is a set of posters you can use in your classroom to help teach the 

Writing Process.  

Accept Invented Spelling

 Children show that they know their letter sounds by using invented spelling. Allowing children to use invented spelling lets them concentrate on communicating their ideas. I know many teachers are frustrated when students misspell words but invented spelling is a necessary phase in your students’ development as a writer.  Your students will develop standard spelling as they advance. Encourage a love of writing by making it fun and don’t sweat the spelling. 

How do you teach writing in your classroom?