How to... Write a How To Book!

We are deep into the process of writing How To books.  As I wrote in one of the newsletters, we began this process in much the same we approached writing original stories.  First we read several "how to" books and noticed what authors did to teach a reader something in a step by step way.  Next, each child brainstormed topics that they might be able to write a how to book about.  We shared some of the ideas in the whole group and sorted out which topics might be most interesting. Next, the children went to work breaking down their selected topic into four steps.  In the pictures below you will see children spread out all over the room, deeply involved in the writing process.  Literacy Teacher, Ann Knox, Ms. Christine and  Mr. Kaulius both played a role in encouraging children to hear the sounds in their words, reread what they had already written, and stick to it!  Once each child had completed a planning page in which their pictures were just small pencil sketches and every step had clear words to go with a picture, the children transferred their plans into book form. The final step was stapling the pages together and adding a title, by line and illustration to the cover.  We can't wait to share the finished books with you at Parent Conferences!