Writing is a way for students to express their stories and interests.  At this age, we are teaching them to organise their thoughts.  Students often just jump right to the end of their story first.  Their writing should have a beginning, middle, and end.  We are also teaching them to use description to help us understand the picture in their heads.

At home, parents can help by getting their children to tell them stories (about their day or made up stories.)  Help them start their stories by asking questions such as, "Who is in the story?" "Where are they?"  "When was this?"  "What were they doing at first?"  Then, as your child tells the story, ask them to tell you about colours, sizes, smells, sounds, feelings, etc.  I'm sure you are already doing this all the time!

Encourage your child to write down their ideas.  If they are not yet writing words, have them draw out their story in panels, like a comic book.  Celebrate the writing they do by putting it on the fridge or giving them a sticker.