Outside of How-To writing being a part of the Common Core, it provides a great practice in logically sequencing events (a tough first grade skill)…to the level at which someone else can follow the directions. Additionally, it gives us the chance to review and practice those very-important transition and time-order words (first, second, then, next, also, last, finally, etc.).
Hands-On Experiences: Building Paper Planes
To ‘hook’ my first grade writers, we built and raced paper airplanes together. It was the perfect time to model the how-to process. As a class we walked through every step of making a paper airplane (from this online tutorial), writing the directions (including time-order words) as we went. We included an illustration, as well, so our reader could also ‘see’ the steps in making an airplane. Making the planes required a lot of synergizing as many of our friends had never made their own plane before. Thankfully, several airplane-making pros stepped-up to help friends!
Why the thin writing paper instead of copy paper? Great question, friend. As I was practicing for this lesson (oh yes, I practiced), I learned that paper airplanes with this particular design plummeted to their death if made with computer paper. The thin grey/brown writing paper was light enough that it allowed the planes to travel across the room!
After we built our paper airplanes and polished our writing pieces, of course, we had to see if our planes flew! Each table competed against one another, and then, we had a final winner’s round. It was so much fun to see how differently our planes flew.
Hands-On Experiences: Making Maracas
As a part of our Sound Unit (happening at the same time), it was time to build our own musical instruments. HowCast.com has the most incredible database of tutorial videos for kids. From making musical instruments to making popsicle stick bridges, the videos are simple (90-180 seconds) and use materials you can find at your home! The first time we only watched the video and then, the second time we stopped the video in between each step to record them on our papers.
Launching Workshop
After a few hands-on experiences with how-to writing, my writers were ready to launch Workshop with how-to writing. This is typically how I run my writing block as it gives students lots of time to generate ideas and write about their own interests! Just like narrative writing, we start with a brainstorming map. Our “I’m a Star” maps are glued into our writing journals so we can reference the topics as needed. From building snowmen to playing Minecraft, my students always have so many topics they were ready to teach about!
Favorite Mini-Lessons
Outside of our introductory lesson, we attack How-To writing from several different fronts. Moby and Annie are always a go-to for our learning, as they reviewed time-order words with us and the importance of properly sequencing events. To help hit the point home about sequencing, I tell ‘how-to’ brush my teeth using directions that are ALL mixed up. Then, students work together to put the events in an order that makes sense. Conclusion – order matters!
Transition Words
Later in our unit, we focus on adding transition words to our writing. These words enhance the reader’s experience and ensure that steps do not get flip-flopped or confused! Of course, students have seen these words as we write together, but they also need to be explicitly taught.
Favorite Mentor Texts
Throughout the week, I’m pulling from three of my favorite mentor texts – How to Babysit a Grandpa, How To Wash a Woolly Mammoth, and How to Teach a Slug to Read. These are perfect for showing students how real-author use how-to techniques (logical order, sequencing, time order words) to share a story or information with a reader.
How-To Writing within Work on Writing
Outside of our designated ‘writing time’ my friends have How-To writing as a choice during our Work on Writing time during Daily 5. I put these prompts on a binder ring and it makes them easy-to-use for our little hands and keeps the cards from being lost. I’m REALLY in love with the math how-to cards. These math-based prompts offer an addend challenge to students as they explain their math thinking to others in a logical and systematic way – BOOM!
As we start writing our How-To pieces independently, we’ll self-assess our writing and use the below checklist (personal ones and a class anchor chart) to guide our work.
In retrospect, this is a unit I’ll definitely teach at the beginning of the year. Teaching at this point of the year, is much simpler and requires less groundwork, but still, it’s a nice review of skills we’ve learned throughout the year in reading and writing. Plus, now that we’re officially readers and writers, it’s amazing to see what my students come up with!
What are your favorite ways to teach how-to writing? I’d love to hear your ideas!
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Em Hutchison says
March 15, 2015 at 11:43 amGreat post!! Thanks for sharing your different books that you use. I enjoy the how to unit and will have to think about how to incorporate some of these ideas for next year!
Em
Curious firsties
Creativity to the Core says
March 16, 2015 at 1:50 amAwesome ideas! Love introducing it with paper airplanes. That is a wonderful, hands-on idea. The math how-to task cards are perfect for integrating content into writing. Brilliant!
Meredith
Creativity to the Core
Roxy says
May 8, 2015 at 3:08 pmDo you have a list of other mentor texts you use? Great ideas!