Teaching How-To Writing in Kindergarten

Have you ever asked a kindergartener to explain how to make peanut butter and jelly? Because I have, and I would not recommend following their advice. I will let you go ahead and imagine all the ways that could go wrong. 

It sounds simple, it’s a task that everyone knows how to do… right? Well yes, mostly. But the issues arise when these simple tasks actually need to be explained. Children need to be taught to explain things step by step. So here I am, writing a resource that explains each and every step of teaching kindergarteners how to explain each and every step. 

The goal of this unit is to help your students become independent writers! My philosophy is to teach it slow. This unit (and all my resources) are built so that eventually your students can go off and write on their own! But right now, they are still in kindergarten and that is just not a realistic goal. So we are going to take it step by step. 

You’ll walk your students through every step of this process until they (most of them anyway!) are able to sit down independently, think of four step directions, and then write about them in the correct order. 

How to Prepare Students for this Unit 

If your students can draw basic illustrations, stretch out words, and complete sentences using a basic sentence starter, you are good to go! If they aren’t quite there yet, you may want to check out my illustration unit or my labeling unit! It is also important that your students have experience with putting things in sequential order and using words such as first, next, and last. 

If you read that and are thinking your students can do that… but may need a refresher first. Or maybe you are thinking that you have some students that have all that down, but some that just aren’t there yet. That is okay, too! Read on to find out more about what is included in this unit! 

So What am I Getting? 

This four week unit includes 17 scripted lesson plans that start from the very beginning of how- to writing. Students begin by learning that writers can teach others to do simple tasks. They then have the opportunity to practice that skill both independently and as a group. You’ll have access to six different worksheet options, three differentiated options, and six pocket chart activities for the whole group. These activities center around putting tasks in order using the words first, then, next, and last. 

After building an understanding of sequential writing, writers will generate a list of things that they could teach others and map out their ideas using a graphic organizer. After students pick their topic you’ll walk them through drawing out each step with pictures, writing a rough draft, creating a cover, and then completing their final copy. The four week lesson plan also includes lessons on stretching out words to sound them out and using a word wall to find words they already know. 

Within the unit you’ll also find six How-To Mentor Texts, four anchor charts, and six differentiated writing book options. Each daily lesson plan includes a list of all materials needed and a learning goal. 

Oh, and do not forget the best part! You’ll also have access to a parent note to easily include families in their child’s learning and of course, celebration hats. Allowing your students the chance to share their writing with peers is so important! They (and you!) should have so much pride in their work! There is no better way to end a unit than a little party. 

You can click here to see a full list of everything that’s included! 

Now that your students are on their way to independent writing, you may want to take a look at my other kindergarten writing resources. You can grab the full bundle here or see a list of all my resources here.