Shared writing How-to lists
Writing
how-to lists
can be a great shared writing activity. The goal of this type of
writing is to help the children to order things in a step-by-step
sequence. Start with a shared experience that you can do together. This
can be something that you do every day (make a sandwich, read a book)
or it can be a new experience (plant a seed, make butter).
Here is an example of a shared writing, how-to list.
My preschoolers and I have been learning about plants. Today we planted seeds. We did the activity together and talked about the process all the way along. We used sequencing words like "first", "next", and "last". After practicing this several times, they dictated to me how to plant a seed.
Here is how to implement your own shared writing how-to activity.
- Do the activity together.
- Talk about the steps that go into doing this activity.
- You might draw a picture for each step to remind the children of the sequence.
- Practice telling the sequence orally several times, using words like first, next, and last.
- Have the children tell you the sequence while you write it down. (Help them as needed.)
- Read the sequence together to make sure it says what you want it to.
- Work together to make any changes needed.
The length of this activity should be age-appropriate. For very young children it should be very short. For older children you can probe a little deeper to help them come up with more thoughtful ideas.
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