Shared Writing

In preparation for our Thanksgiving Assembly, each class writes a gratitude letter to share with the school. To begin the lesson, the class brainstormed things that we are grateful for. Then, we eliminated ideas that were not worthy of a school-wide presentation. Then, in preparation for writing each section, students turned and talked about what we could say to write about gratitude for our family and friends. I listened in as students discussed, and from what I heard wrote down a sentence. This continued until we finished our letter. Shared writing is helpful as students learn syntax. They can brainstorm how they would say it, and then hear it with correct syntax and more precise language. It also serves as a time to model the writing process.