One skill that is critical to school success but often overlooked is writing. Some teachers downplay it because it takes so much time and energy to grade. Others simply don’t know how to teach the subject or assume that the student has already been taught all they’re able to learn before they got to the class. It’s also common for teachers to “teach to the test” in writing- focusing solely on the types of writing that are currently on the standardized tests (like argumentative essays or critical analysis. For whatever reason, writing often does not get the attention that it deserves during the school years.

Ideally, your kid will get a balanced diet of written expression activities on a weekly basis or even more often. Essays, reports, stories, descriptions, poetry, analytic pieces, narratives…they all should be in your child’s written expression diet. And along the way, hopefully they get sound instruction in not only grammar and spelling, but also in organization, introductions/conclusions, audience, and all of the other niceties of writing.

But what if the school program is lacking in one or more of these areas? Parents can supplement at home! As I’ve recommended before, kids should be routinely doing 10 minutes of work outside of school per grade level every day. And if there’s not enough official homework to fill the time, this is a great way to supplement.

(Just to give you an idea: K-1: 10 minutes daily, grade 5- 50 minutes daily, grade 8- 1 hour and 20 minutes daily and so on)

Writing Exercises for All Ages

These start out easy-peasy for the youngest writers, and some are even oral exercises that will strengthen language skills. The farther down the list you go, the more challenging the activities become. Pick and choose the ones that are right for your kids, but keep them writing several times weekly!

• Make lists of words that fit in specific categories. See how many names for animals, colors, ways to move, or words to replace “said” you can come up with together.
• Develop some sentence frames (sentences with words left out, like an adjective or two in front of a noun, or the verb part of the sentence: The ____, _____ giraffe crossed the field or The billowing clouds _________. Take turns filling in the missing words.
• Practice writing sentences about a given topic. How many different sentences can you create?
• Designate Five Sentence Day! Everyone (adults too!) write five sentences in a paragraph to respond to a subject or a prompt.
• Write a good paragraph with a topic sentence and four or more supporting details.
• Take a good paragraph already written, and add a sentence to explain each supporting detail further.
• Look at a comic strip with three or more panels. Write the story told in the strip, including appropriate dialog.
• Cut some headlines out of a newspaper or print them out. Write the newspaper article to go with the headline.
• Make alliterative sentences (all or most words begin with the same sound like a tongue-twister).
• Write a rhyming couplet where the last words of each part of the sentence rhyme.
• Respond to a book with an analysis, a review, or a summary.
• Write an essay asking for a privilege or an event. Be sure to support your request with evidence about why it would be needed.
• Write a personal narrative about an important event in your life.
• Do a character analysis of a character from your favorite book.
• Write a 5-paragraph essay supporting a change to school rules or procedures.
• Write a fanciful story about ______.
• Write a descriptive passage about your favorite place.
• Write a how-to piece to give instructions to play a sport or game.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing your opinion about a local issue.

It doesn’t really matter what you have the kids write about. Just help them get used to the idea of writing regularly. Don’t forget to have them use the writing process (brainstorm, plan, write a draft, revise, edit, and publish). It’s important to get all of the steps in for academic success!

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Need more help with writing for your kids? Please check out my tutoring services and other ways I can support you at sandyfleming online.