I love creating Interactive Writing charts with my students. This is a great foundation for creating informational pieces of writing. We just finished up our unit on creating “How To” pieces of writing and have moved on to “All About” books. We have been studying insects, specifically ladybugs. After reading about ladybugs, we created this Interactive Writing chart together.
The students wrote in the text and then each added their own ladybug art. I like for everyone to participate in some way. Then, all students have ownership over our work in the classroom. The next day, I taught my students what the word fact meant. I told them that it is something that is true and can be proven. Then, we talked about how we would write a book using facts. I modeled this by creating an “All About Ladybugs” book. Here is my chart example.
Then, they took each selected a different topic to write about and used this paper to create their draft. Click to download. J
After they filled out this page correctly, they took this information and created a three page book.
(This is my favorite, lol)
I will post pics later of their finished products. We are still working on them. I was so impressed with how well they did. They really understood what a fact was and why it was an important part of writing an informational piece….to teach the reader something. J I really have enjoyed all of our writing adventures this year. I will have to share our finished How-To Books. They turned out great!
So, what are you writing about in your class right now?
FirstGradeBlueSkies (Jennifer) says
Looks awesome!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
S. Parker says
Love the format. I love the last one! Too cute. 🙂
Freckleteacher says
Great way to teach writing with facts! Thank you! I will use this with our anchor chart about ladybugs first and then let them think of their own topic. Perfect!
Jen says
We just finished our All About unit. Isn't it just so much fun?!?!
Jen
Jen's Kinder Kids
Ms. Kerri says
Love this idea. We're starting some non-fiction writing about animals in the ocean. Thanks for sharing.
Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten
Mrs. Ann Greene says
Thanks for sharing this idea. I love it because we seem to be teaching about the same subjects right now. You just gave me a wonderful idea to do with my kinders for writing. Thanks for the freebie. It will help.
Ann
Debbie says
Wow! You must have read my mind!!!! We are studying farm animals right now and as we learn facts about each, the children are creating a bubble map with facts about the animals. When we have learned about 5 animals, the children get to choose which animal they want to write about. I was just going to have them write on a regular piece of lined paper but, they will love this!! Thanks so much for sharing–love, love, love it!
Kristin says
These are fantastic! So much learning going on!!!
We are writing about life long ago. My kids are really into it! We go on our field trip next week – yeehaw!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
Kelly says
This will be great for either our Oceans or Zoo unit coming up soon! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
Kindergarten Kel
Holly says
Awww, that just made my heart sing. I love seeing what they can do in Kindergarten compared to first grade. We are just starting our All About books right now!
LOVE!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Mrs. Lott says
THANK YOU!!!! We are just starting our All About posters this week. Today we talked about what a fact was. Thank you for the freebie, it is much nicer than the copy I was given from another teacher. I am one of the few Kindergarten teachers using writer's workshop in our district, but I love to see how they have grow in their writing!
This was perfect help for me! How many days and mini-lessons do you do for the all about? I would also be interested in knowing about your How To writing. (I am a first year teacher, and taking a stab at workshop)
Amanda
amlott@nppsd.org
Angela says
So cute! The teacher is the boss. Lol! Heck yeah she is! 😉
We are just finishing our "How To" Books and I very recently posted about the end of our "All-About" books. The first post, with links to the last, is here. (We do these units in reverse of most people). We use a similar format, but with a few more stages in the writing process. Great work!! Thanks for sharing!
Angela
Primarily Primary
Kari says
This is great! You have really inspired me to 'up' my student's writing this year. Thank you!!
Kari 🙂
School Sparks Renee says
So cute. The last one is adorable! That's one to save, for sure! Great ideas for tacking children about facts in a fun way. Renee
Mrs. Gaither says
Oh my! That is what we are working on in our room too! A little different, but I was going to post about it tonight or tomorrow. My kinders needed a refresher because their books were getting a little…sloppy…
Barb
meet me at the zoo…
kinderzoo
Tamera says
That is our next writing topic & we will be centering around animals at first, too!
I think I have used that phrase before in my class, "Because I am the boss!"
🙂 Tamera
Claudette Smith says
I enjoyed your informational book. You gave me a great idea on how to teach informational writing to kindergarteners.