How-To Writing

This week we are finishing up our procedural writing, or "How-To Writing," Unit.  This unit is one of my favorites because the kiddos always come up with the best ideas for stories to teach others. Since this is my first post about How-To Writing, I'll start from the beginning.  

As with our other writing units, we began by creating a "What is How-To Writing?" Anchor Chart.  We developed this chart by reading a few mentor texts, including Walk On: A Guide For Babies of All Ages and How to Babysit a Grandpa.  The kiddos always love these books and they get really into the concept of writing their own how-to stories.  I think this unit gives the kiddos self-confidence as they realize there are a lot of things they know how to do, even as six- and seven-year-olds.

For Pre-Writing, the kiddos brainstormed a list of things they could teach others.  Some of their topics included, "How to Be a Big Brother," "How to Catch a Baseball," "How to Draw a Cat," and "How to Play Piano."  For each idea, they also had to consider their audience, or who they wanted teach.  Throughout this unit, I continued to refer back to their chosen audience because authors have to make sure that each step in a how-tos will help future readers.  After we drafted the basic steps of the how-to, we added lists of materials or ingredients, warnings, and a closing to wish our readers "good luck" as they try their new skill on their own.  

This unit makes good use of writing partners.  The kiddos relied on their writing partners to check the order of their steps and make sure they had included appropriate warnings. As we moved into revising and editing our drafts, writing partners also helped suggest more precise language that could help readers follow directions more closely.  

Now it's once again time for publishing.  For this unit, though, we will not be having a school-wide Publishing Party.  Instead, we are going to celebrate within our class by sharing a class-wide how-to activity.  More on that to come...