Unit Plan

Writing With Writers Teaching Guide

Instructions to improve student writing skills in eight genres: biography, descriptive, folktale, mystery, myth, news, poetry, speech, and book review writing

Grades

1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12

Duration

1 CLASS PERIOD

Quick links to unit plan resources:

3 Items

Lesson Plan

11 Items

Activity

5 Items

Reproducible

Overview

Writing With Writers is a set of step-by-step instructions to improve student writing skills. With eight genres — biography, descriptive, folktale, mystery, myth, news, poetry, speech, and book review writing — you can pick the component that best suits your curriculum and needs. Each component has specific grade targets and all components have the ability to publish student work online.

Objectives

Students will:

Identify unique characteristics of different writing genres
Follow the writing process for different genres to create original writing
Use web technology to post original writing online
Demonstrate understanding of different genres by responding to questions
Understand how to review and revise their own writing
Review and present constructive criticism to peer writing
Learn to think critically and objectively about their reading
Learn to review and revise their own writing
Produce written work to show evidence of knowledge of the different genres
Use technology to record original speeches
Appreciate diverse cultures and traditions through writing
Tell an original folktale to class members using appropriate fluency skills
Respond to questions about the folktale genre to demonstrate understanding
Practice poetry writing skills such as rhythm, rhyming, and descriptive vocabulary
Practice writing skills such as description, summarization, and persuasive communication
Practice skills such as descriptive writing and dialogue

Supporting Books

Writing With Writers Books and Resources

Writing With Writers for Grades 1–3

Introduce different writing genres and improve writing skills in these areas.

GRADES

1–2, 3–5

DURATION

8 CLASS PERIODS

GRADES

1–2, 3–5

DURATION

8 CLASS PERIODS

Writing With Writers for Grades 4–8

Students can explore different genres as they read writing samples, brainstorm, work in groups, write, edit, and rewrite their work before submitting final drafts.

GRADES

3–5, 6–8

DURATION

8 CLASS PERIODS

GRADES

3–5, 6–8

DURATION

8 CLASS PERIODS

Writing With Writers for Grades 9–12

Students read, brainstorm, work in groups, write, edit, and rewrite their work before completing a final version. The online step-by-step activities cover multiple genres of writing.