In writing personal stories, pupils learn how to communicate effectively events and experiences about which they are firsthand experts. Have the children select a favorite memory from a recent birthday, holiday or other event. Have them write a story about the event, making sure they include a definitive conflict (and its resolution). Require that the conflict last for at least two paragraphs; this way the children have to explore various vocabulary choices and sentence structures to describe the event.
Have each child write a short manual or how-to book that tells the reader how to perform a set task or objective. Examples of assignments could be "How to tie your shoes" or "How to buckle your seat belt." Then partner up the children and ask that they follow each other's instructions. Have each child record where he encountered difficulty and recommend suggestions to improve the clarity of the instruction.
Assign each pupil a partner or group. Require that each pupil write a story of at least four paragraphs; the subject matter can be of her choosing. The main objective is to have each child read her story aloud to her partners because hearing writing is often much different than reading it. Include instruction on correct punctuation and grammar and how each reflects the way a sentence is read. For example, a comma results in a pause while a period clearly denotes the end of a thought.
By studying verse, such as poetry or rhyme, pupils develop a strong understanding of creative writing and structure. The inclusion of rhyme allows children to think creatively and leads them into careful vocabulary selection and sentence shape. They also learn the importance of grammar and meter in studying the line breaks, pauses and structure crucial to poetry's form. As a bonus, pupils learn the effectiveness of imagery to convey meaning and mood in writing.