Supporting Heartland Writers 

Modeling...

Shows instead of tells

Offers an example

Provides a reference

Teaches organizational structure

Teaches strategies

Is sensitive to the student's level of ability

Focuses on a specific skill

Shows students how to write to prompts

Focuses on the essential criteria of effective writing

Is the first step of a gradual release toward student independence 

Mini-lessons are...

Simple

Brief

Focused

Concise

Reflective of student needs

Non-threatening

Fun

Consistent

Responsive to students

Exposing students to essential criteria of effective writing

A time for students to practice

Gentle

Light

Informative

Humorous

Playful

Inviting

Interactive

Hands-on

The following are characteristics of what narrative writing can be or have: 

Stories

Personal

Realistic

Imaginative

Entertainment

Life lessons

Oral

Written

Visual

Structured

Chronological

Categorical

Problem/solution

Intriguing adventure

Characters

Setting

Humor

Suspense 

Tension

Drama

The following are characteristics of what informative writing can be or have: 

Facts

Comments on facts

Realistic

Accurate

Clear

Logical

Descriptive

Reliable sources

Share information

Describe a process

Clarify a concept

Explain how or why

Break down into parts

Teach the reader something

The following are characteristics of what opinion writing can be or have: 

Your opinion

Point of view

Thought or belief

Claim

Reasons for your opinion

Explanation of each reason

Examples to illustrate each reason

Reliable sources

Argument

Counter argument

Rebuttal