Shared Writing Activities for Primary Grades

Narrative Story Writing

• Read the primary class a short story and talk about the basic elements of a narrative story. For example, each story has characters; actions; a beginning; middle and end. Ask the students to help you write a story about a recently-shared event, such as a field trip, classroom activity or school assembly. Allow each child to add suggestions to the story and write them on a chart or whiteboard.

  Plan the story by deciding what events or actions to include. Circle the actions the class determines are essential. Begin drafting the story. Write the sentences as the students work through the sequence of events. After you have finished the draft, read back through the story and revise as necessary and post in the classroom

Writing a Letter

• Draft a letter from the primary class to someone. Perhaps the students may want to thank someone for donating pizzas for a party or books and supplies for classroom use. Illustrate such elements of the as the date, inside address, salutation, body, complimentary close and signature. Draft a sample letter using student suggestions. After your sample letter is complete, have each student write an individual letter to include in a packet to your recipient.

My Most Special Something

• Invite each student to bring a special item on an assigned day. Ask the students to explain the item and why it is special. Have the primary student tell a story about the item. Invite the class to ask questions about the item.

  When the student finished sharing about the item, have the class put together a possible story about the student and the item. Work through the planning, drafting and revision process. Add a picture of the student and special item and post it in the class. Complete one such assignment each week until every student has a special item story.

Spelling Vocabulary List Story

• Each week take the spelling vocabulary list and create a story using all the words on the list. Allow the students to help with spelling and story crafting. Ask the students to check and be sure to include all the words on the list. Have the students write a story of their own like the story written in class.