Writing

"We are ALL writers!"

Fourth grade writers' workshop begins with a strong emphasis on learning to find our identities as writers. As such, we practice thinking about what matters to us most as individuals and consider how we use those values as entry points into our own, personal craft as writers. Students are asked to rethink their self-labeling as being "good or bad" at writing and embark on their own, individual paths of growth as writers this year.

Fourth grade writers will be exploring and practicing many styles of writing this year. We will kick off our year with the study of writing realistic fiction. Students will be taking small, ordinary moments from their own lives and using them to craft fictional stories. Our second unit will provide fourth graders a chance to consider issues that matter to them and develop their own personal, persuasive essays. For our third unit, we will be delving into the craft of writing literary essays, giving students the opportunity to blend their essay writing skills with consideration of important ideas in their texts. Finally, we will be using the study of the Revolutionary War, as explored in our readers' workshop, and applying these themes in the construction of informative texts.

While writing will never be assigned as "homework", fourth graders are always encouraged to extend their reading practice at home by journaling and/ or jotting their ideas in a notebook. Please feel free to reach out to me at any point throughout the year for suggestions on how to strengthen your child's identity as a writer!