Teaching writing was by far this biggest challenge of moving to 4th grade. Of course, I taught writing in 3rd and 5th grade–but the number of skills that need to be taught in 4th grade and the pressure of the State Writing test is REAL. I have always said, “I don’t teach for the test” and I still stand by that…however, I want my kids to be successful–on the State Test and in LIFE. Teaching writing is I.M.P.O.R.T.A.N.T. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently.
I added many things to my curriculum this past year. Multi-Sensory Grammar, Mentor Sentences, and over all just learning a variety of different ways to make writing better.
This past year, my students had binders (we will do that again) but one part of the binder contained all of their resources that they would refer back to when writing their papers. I HATED that they had to pull out a big binder and flip through it to find what the were looking for (example–maybe they don’t remember what prepositions are–pullllll out the binder.) And OH. MY. so many binders would crash to the ground and papers would fall out. Like I said–the binders were good for most things and we will use them to store writing samples, store mentor sentences, etc. We will NOT use it as a reference tool though. What will we use instead? The Writing Assistant.
I did try a type of flipbook for all of this information, but again–the folding, the LOADS of paper it would take, and the time—yikes. I also questioned if the students would keep up with them? Maybe. Who knows. I liked this idea better.
How to Assemble:
- 2 file folders per child
- The Writing Assistant Product
- 4 pages of colored card-stock per child
I took the folders and stapled them together to make a tri-fold. I love this because it acts as a privacy folder as well.
Just print the product on 4 different colored pages (this is optional but I did it so it would be brightly colored) then cut apart all pieces–students can do this part.
Then, lay out the tri-fold folders (the folders stapled together) and place the pieces either the way shown in the picture or another way you see fit. I plan on showing this picture on my projector and letting the kids cut, place and glue. I do NOT want to make 42 of these alone. lol.
NOTE: Extra parts are included–for example if you need personal narrative instead of expository–that is included. Also, there are pieces to glue on the front of the folder so the students know which one belongs to them.
After the students are done assembling–I will take these to Mardel’s and get them laminated. To get 42 of these laminated–it will cost $8. Not bad.
There is a part that we will write on during the year (the Dead Words part.) After learning which words each student over uses–I will write with Vis-a-Vis on the Dead Words Part. It will not rub off easily but can be removed if needed. I will do this during writing conferences. Each student will have different words on this part. SAID is a common “dead” word though–so I did this as an example.
We will use these until the STAAR test. Then, hopefully, when the STAAR test comes around–they can visualize these in their brain. 🙂
What is Included? (Note: I am adding things as I get suggestions! It is forever growing–lol.)
- PREDREP Acronym (The Writing Process)
- FANBOYS (Conjunction Guide)
- Expository Components
- Prepositions
- Comma Rules
- Homophones
- Person Narrative Components
- Narrative Components
- Opinion Writing Components
- Prefixes and Suffixes
- Improve a Sentence
- Transition Words
- Tricky Words (to/too/two, your/you’re, their/there/they’re)
- Capitalization Rules (MINT)
- Editing Rules (CUPS)
- Revising Rules (ARMS)
- Common Editing Rules
- Figurative Language
- Dead Words
- Pronouns
- Dialogue Rules
- Types of Sentences
- Types of Hooks
- Student Name Section
I hope you find this useful too! I cannot wait to make these. I plan on making them the first six-weeks even if we haven’t learned all of the parts yet. I would rather have them made and the students using them early on in the year.
Grab the Writing Assistant HERE if you want it for your students too.
Feel free to reach out in the comment section if you have any questions!
Also, to receive FREE resources and exclusive updates–sign up for my E-Mail Club!
xoxo,
Hillary
