Writing

Image of sequencing activities with transition words. Why Sequencing Matters.

Why Sequencing Matters: Turning Pictures into Powerful Stories

Hey there, teacher friend! Today, I want to talk with you about sequencing, putting things in order, and why you need to teach it to your budding writers (and readers) in your elementary classroom. Why Sequencing Matters in Early Writing When you’re teaching young writers, there’s always that one story that starts with “First we went to the zoo” and ends with “Then we went to bed,” and everything in between is a beautiful blur. Sequencing is one of those foundational skills that helps students make sense of the world around them — and their own writing. It’s how they

Image of smartboard with a Sentence a Day Disguise a turkey teacher slide displayed. Text: Disguide a Turkey Class : A fun shared writing Thanksgiving Activity.

Disguise a Turkey Class Book: A Fun Shared Writing Thanksgiving Activity

Hey there, teacher friend, let’s talk about November! You know the stretch I’m talking about—Halloween sugar rush has finally worn off, and now we’re racing toward Thanksgiving break. Kids are buzzing, schedules are all over the place with assemblies, and you’re just trying to squeeze in meaningful writing without losing your mind. Been there. Honestly, I think every teacher has. That’s exactly why I’m always on the hunt for activities that keep students engaged, sneak in real writing practice, and feel fun. Because let’s face it—if you say, “We’re going to write another paragraph today,” you’ll get groans. But if

Image of teacher and student using shared writing. Text: Shared Writing: My Favorite Teaching Strategy for Building Confident Writers.

Shared Writing: My Favorite Teaching Strategy for Building Confident Young Writers

Hey there, Teacher Friend! Teaching writing in primary grades can sometimes feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. You’re juggling sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and then—just when you think you’ve got it—half the class is distracted by a wiggly tooth or a loose crayon. Honestly, it can be overwhelming. That’s why shared writing is one of my very favorite teaching strategies. It makes the whole writing process more manageable for kids (and teachers!) and turns it into something fun, collaborative, and confidence-boosting. What Is Shared Writing? Shared writing is when the teacher and students work together to create a

Image of a frustrated child not writing, and a confident child writing. Text: Kickstart Writing Confidence with Quick Writing Warm-Ups

Kickstart Writing Confidence with Daily Writing Logs and Quick Writing Warm-Ups

Hey there, teacher friend! Do you ever feel like getting your students to write — especially at the beginning of the year — is like pulling teeth? I’ve been there. Blank pages, blank stares, and lots of “I don’t know what to write!” It’s frustrating for everyone. That’s where writing logs and writing warm-ups come in. These quick, low-pressure activities are the perfect way to get students writing every day without making it overwhelming. And honestly? The more kids write, the more confident they become. That’s why I created my Daily Quick Writes Writing Logs — to help make writing

Image of Pick it! Write it! Sentence Building Worksheets. Text: Fun sentence builders worksheets: Build Strong Writers with Pick it! Write it!

Fun Sentence Builders Worksheets: Build Strong Writers with Fun Pick it! Write it!

Hey there Primary Teacher Friends! Pick it! Write it! Sentence builders worksheets are one of the most effective tools for teaching early sentence writing in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. These step-by-step activities give young learners the structure they need to turn ideas into complete sentences—while building confidence and independence along the way. The Struggle Is Real: Common Pain Points in Teaching Sentence Writing If you’ve spent any time in a primary classroom (or teaching at home), you’ve probably seen these scenarios: Each of these hurdles slows the path to fluent, confident writing. The Solution: Build Sentence Skills Step-by-Step

The Secret to Teaching Writing in Kindergarten: How Sentence Building Worksheets Boost Early Writing Skills

Teaching writing in kindergarten isn’t easy. If you’re here, you probably already know that. You’ve seen it firsthand—the blank stares, the letter reversals, the “I don’t know what to write” moments. It’s all part of the process. But what if we had a way to ease students into writing without the frustration?A way to build skills step-by-step, while giving young learners the structure and support they need? That’s exactly what I set out to create with my Pick it! Write it! Decodable Sentence Building Worksheets, a printable resource designed to support developing early writing skills in a small group setting.

Image of teacher teaching in a small writing group with students. TExt: Teaching writing in small groups and what are the other students doing?

Teaching Writing in Small Groups (and What the Other Kids Are Doing While You Do It)

Let’s be honest: the idea of teaching writing in small groups sounds amazing. In theory. The kind of thing you jot down on a PD day with a hopeful little star next to it—right before the real-world questions start swirling. Like:“But how do I fit it in?”“What will the rest of the class be doing?”“Is it even possible to keep it quiet enough to focus?”And the kicker:“Will this actually help my students become better writers, or is it just another thing to manage?” Yep. I’ve had all of those thoughts. Probably more than once. But I’ve also seen—and created—some truly

Image of a young girl writing. Text: You teach phonics, but are you missing a key step? Hint: It's encoding.

You Teach Phonics… But Are You Missing This Key Step? (Hint: It’s Encoding)

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight in early literacy instruction—but totally should: encoding. It’s one of those terms that might sound a little technical at first, but once you understand it, it starts to pop up everywhere. And if you’re teaching young students how to read, write, and spell, it’s something worth paying attention to. So, what is it exactly? And why does it matter so much for things like sentence writing and decodable sentences? Let’s dig in. And I promise, no jargon overload. What Is Encoding? In the simplest terms, encoding is the process of

Story Writing Games Make Narrative Writing Fun and Engaging!

Hey there! Story writing games can transform your students’ narrative writing experience, making it easier, more engaging, and a whole lot of fun. Do your students ever stare at a blank page, wondering how to start their stories? Or maybe they have amazing ideas but struggle to organize them into a clear beginning, middle, and end? It’s a common challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Let’s explore how story writing games can help make narrative writing easier, more engaging, and a whole lot of fun for your young writers. Plus, I’ll share a resource that transforms storytelling into an

Helpful Step by Step Writing Mini-Lessons for Teaching Editing Sentences

Hey there, Teacher Friend! Is it time to teach editing sentences? When it comes to improving student writing, one of the most essential skills is editing. But what is editing, and why do students need to edit their own writing? Editing involves reviewing written work to correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. While it sounds straightforward, many young writers struggle with this skill. Learning to edit not only helps improve the quality of their writing but also teaches students to be reflective and more thoughtful about their work. However, students often find it challenging to look at their own

Effective Writing Warm-Ups: Fun Prewriting Activities For Students

Hey there, teacher friend! Do you struggle to find practical prewriting activities to do with your elementary school kiddos? Getting students to start writing can be a challenge. It often takes time and energy to get them focused and ready to put their ideas on paper. That’s where writing warm-ups come in. Writing warm-ups are short, focused activities designed to get students thinking, brainstorming, and preparing for more structured writing tasks. Whether you’re using them as part of your morning work, whole class writing lessons, or small group writing learning activities, these warm-ups can help students engage their minds and

Image of a thinking teacher. Text: I set up and awesome classroom writing station. Now what?

I Set Up an Awesome Classroom Writing Station! Now What?

Hey there, teacher friend! You did it! Your classroom writing station is set up, and it looks magnificent! The supplies are organized, anchor charts are posted, and the space is inviting for your students. But now you might ask yourself, What do I do with this excellent writing space? Creating an engaging, dynamic classroom writing station is only the first step. The real challenge is maintaining its usefulness throughout the year, keeping students excited and productive during writing time. I Have a Great Writing Space, But Now What? A common frustration many teachers face is figuring out how to make

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Writing

Why Sequencing Matters: Turning Pictures into Powerful Stories

Disguise a Turkey Class Book: A Fun Shared Writing Thanksgiving Activity

Shared Writing: My Favorite Teaching Strategy for Building Confident Young Writers

Kickstart Writing Confidence with Daily Writing Logs and Quick Writing Warm-Ups

Fun Sentence Builders Worksheets: Build Strong Writers with Fun Pick it! Write it!

The Secret to Teaching Writing in Kindergarten: How Sentence Building Worksheets Boost Early Writing Skills

Teaching Writing in Small Groups (and What the Other Kids Are Doing While You Do It)

You Teach Phonics… But Are You Missing This Key Step? (Hint: It’s Encoding)

Story Writing Games Make Narrative Writing Fun and Engaging!

Helpful Step by Step Writing Mini-Lessons for Teaching Editing Sentences

Effective Writing Warm-Ups: Fun Prewriting Activities For Students

I Set Up an Awesome Classroom Writing Station! Now What?

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