Implement journaling. Students should write freely in a semi-private journal on a variety of topics picked by the teacher. Prompts such as "What is your favorite color?" for younger students and "Who has been the biggest influence on your life?" for older students are just some of the few examples of journal topics. A short free-writing period each day has shown to help students organize their thoughts for later writing projects and essays.
Study different styles of writing with your students. Create a unit on the purposes of writing and how the students can use writing themselves. Have weekly writing projects in each style. Reports, narrative essays, and persuasive arguments are a few of the styles that students need to be able to use effectively. Walk your students through the composition process such as researching, outlining, drafting and revising. Allow the students to pick their own topics and interests to ensure they see writing as relevant.
Explore creative outlets. Writing isn't just for boring non-fiction purposes. Children are exposed to different types of entertainment writing every day. Have students write their own television episodes, stage plays, commercials, books and comic strips. Also have students pretend to be news reporters and report on current school or home happenings. Let the students participate in hands-on creative activities that center on writing.
Practice regularly. Even after your units on writing are completed, remind the students throughout the school year and do several reviews. Implement writing as part of the science classes through reports, as part of the history classes through biographies, and as part of the reading classes by book reviews or reports. Journaling should also be a regular -- if not daily -- part of the students' classroom routines.