Teachers of elementary writers will find it helpful to use a model of what a finished writing piece will look like when introducing a writing topic to students. After explaining what the writing piece is, and reading through the sample piece with students, the teacher can explain that students will be working on their own version of this writing piece. In the "all-about-me" example, the teacher can write an "all about me" for himself, and explain that students will write their own piece about themselves. This is a way for students to get excited about their newest project, get a taste of expectations and also to learn about the structure of the writing piece. As the teacher presents the model, the teacher should also use this as an opportunity to point out an introductory sentence, concluding sentence and discuss the topics that the writer has brought up.
The thought of writing can silence even the most talkative of children. When just starting out, it is helpful to brainstorm ideas to get the conversation flowing. Not only will the student’s excitement grow as his ideas are validated, but this is also a chance to guide the students in differentiating between key topics and irrelevant ones, in order to minimize rambling. In the “all-about-me” example, the teacher could brainstorm the ideas that would form the theme of each sentence. This can stem from a discussion about topics covered in the finished model that was presented earlier, but students can also have a chance to add new topics. Some sample ideas might include family, likes, dislikes, pets and hobbies.
The students are now ready to start putting their ideas to paper, but this step also needs to be carefully guided. When students start writing a draft of their piece, they should be encouraged to frequently consult the guidance of the finished model and the idea brainstorm. Once the students have all their ideas down and are done, the teacher can ask the students to check their work by asking key questions, such as whether or not they have an introduction and conclusion, and if they have at least a certain number of sentences. In asking the students these questions, the teacher is allowing the student to take ownership of her work.
Any great artist needs various channels of expression, and a chance to create an illustration not only enhances the student’s enthusiasm, but also helps the student in tying her writing piece together. In the “all-about-me” example, encourage the student to draw a picture that somehow includes all the different topics related to the student. The writing process takes immense focus from students, especially beginning writers. Adding a visual is a great chance for the student to relax, be creative and to be proud of his accomplishments in this project.