First Paragraph Writing

For the past few months, Natalie (age eight) has been working on basic paragraph writing. She writes an introductory sentence, three details, and a concluding sentence. She seems to like structured writing assignments like this, and choosing a topic is her favorite part.

Step 1: Planning

After choosing a topic, Natalie creates a web with her topic in the center and three spokes for her details. She writes three details, doing a little research if necessary. The details don’t need to be complete sentences at this point, but she often writes them that way.

Step 2:  Rough Draft & Edit

For now, we usually consider the planning sheet the rough draft and do our editing right on it. Natalie has an editing checklist to help her check for capitilization, punctuation, and spelling errors.

We also talk about what she wants to write for her opening and closing sentences, and I write them on the planning sheet (if she wants me to).

Step 3: Final Draft & Illustration

After the editing is finished, Natalie either rewrites a final copy or types it on the computer. She usually chooses to add an illustration, too.

Finally, it’s time to read your paragraph to everyone and proudly display it on the fridge!

Now that she has the basics of paragraph-writing down, we’ll practice adding details for descriptive writing and using sequence words for how-to paragraphs.

Do you use a writing curriculum or create your own writing lessons? What kind of writing do your kids like to do?

Tagged as: editing, expository writing, paragraph, rough draft, writing