We have been immersed in reading and writing procedural (often called how-to) pieces of writing over the last few weeks. This unit of study introduces students to informational text writing and is preparing them for a unit on writing nonfiction all about texts. We have been reading a variety of informational texts on how to complete a certain task. Last week, we completed a shared writing as a class on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We've read about how to feed fish, how to brush our teeth, how to get ready for the day, how to ride a bike, etc. We've explored a variety of topics that would be good to write about - those that we know a lot about and can actually teach a friend to do by reading them specific instructions. Through this writing, students are learning how to use transition words (First, Second, Next, After, Finally, etc) to help make our writing more smooth, how to elaborate using visualization, how to make comparisons, and how to include labels and captions in our drawings. INQUIRE with your child what some of their how-to books have been about.
In connection with our learning about how to write how-to books, students created imaginary turkeys before thanksgiving, then as a class worked together to write out the steps in the process.
