Teach the writing process while students are actively writing.
The writing process is essential for composing works of writing. Any piece of writing that is composed undergoes the writing process, whether the author is aware of it or not. Formally teaching the steps of the writing process and making authors aware of the actual steps of the process can help them prepare better pieces, as they cognitively following the process. If you're a fourth grade teacher, offer your students direct instruction on the steps of the writing process.
Instructions
1. Provide students with a sample topic to write about -- a day at the park, a favorite birthday party or a favorite activity, for example. Choose a topic that students will easily relate to and that they have certain experience with.
2. Encourage students to think of ideas that relate to the topic you have provided them with. Provide them with pencil and paper and explain that they should write down all of the ideas they have concerning the topic. Alternatively, they can draw a picture that illustrates the ideas that relate to the chosen topic. Explain to students that this stage of writing is called "prewriting." Inform them that they will pull ideas for their writing piece from what they have written or drawn.
3. Instruct students to look at their notes or the pictures they have drawn. Encourage them to select the most interesting bits of information they have gathered to include in their pieces of writing. Tell them to use these ideas to form a rough draft. Explain to students that they should not focus on writing mechanics, but rather on composing an interesting piece of writing. Encourage them to develop their ideas into a piece of writing that will engage readers. Inform them that this phase of writing is called "drafting."
4. Work on revising rough drafts. Instruct students to read and re-read what they have written, removing and adding to the draft. Consider partnering students and tell partners to share their drafts with one another, offering insight and ideas on ways to improve the piece of writing. Explain that this stage of writing is called "revising."
5. Edit the revised rough drafts. Once students are satisfied with their rough drafts, explain that they should look over what they have written to fine-tune their writing. Explain that they should correct misspelled words, fix sentence structure and make sure proper punctuation and other types of grammar are accurate. Perhaps meet with students one-on-one to offer help with editing. Inform students that this phase of writing is called "editing."
6. Publish students' work. Explain to students that after editing their work, it is ready to be published, or shared with an audience. Invite students to share what they have written with their classmates, with parents or with anyone else they may know. Consider displaying the completed works in the classroom library for all to enjoy.
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