Best-of-Smekens Writing Conference:
Writing Remix 2019

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Six-Traits Essentials | Grammar & Conventions | Writing About Reading

Modes & Genres | Writer’s Workshop Management | Text-Based Responses

Modes & Genres

Quick Links:
Session 1: Meet the Argumentative Writing Standard
Session 2: Target Key Skills within an Informative Writing Unit
Session 3: Plan the Year of Writing Units
Session 4: Know the Narrative Non-Negotiables
Session 5: Teach Developmentally-Appropriate Writing in the Primary Grades

SESSION 5

Teach Developmentally-Appropriate Writing in the Primary Grades

Connect the writing purposes with developmental stages

Connect modes of writing to author’s purpose.

Picture-writing counts

Picture writing provides opportunities for students to learn about communicating with details. Kids who draw with details will become kids who write with details.

Draw accurate shapes

Before students can draw shapes independently, they will need the extra support that tracing allows. Art for Kids is a YouTube channel where a dad draws side-by-side with one of his children, showing how to draw simple (sometimes seasonal) objects line by line.

Indicate voice with facial expressions

Add voice with speech bubbles/dialogue

Young writers can play with spoken words in speech bubbles using this single frame or 4-framed template. The speech/dialogue can abandon the formal and traditional sentence structure they use in sentences below their pictures.

Include beginning, middle, end details

Transition to list writing

Target list-making as a writing genre

Before early writers create sentences, they write words. Instead of turning those few words into a simple sentence, encourage students to write with more details and more words. Make the unit about creating lists of information that include specific details, with precise word choice, all on one topic.