Writing Essentials for Kindergarten
 Required writing types are: Personal narrative, research, informational/explanatory,
procedural, and opinion.
 By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to generate ideas and write 1-3
complete sentences (in addition to illustrations).
 Build writing stamina through daily writing experiences for an extended amount of time
(starting at one minute and building toward several minutes).
 Teachers model writing for whole class, small groups, and individual students with a
focus on sentence structure.
 Capitalize the beginning of a sentence, the pronoun “I”, and proper names.
 Use appropriate punctuation at the end of a sentence (a complete thought).
 Writing is a means of documenting thinking.
 Writing is a recursive process that conveys ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
 Purpose, topic and audience guide types of writing.
 Handwriting instruction is different from and not part of writing instruction. Writing
instruction includes spelling, grammar, crafting good sentences, documenting thinking,
and communicating ideas, thoughts, and information.
Developed with Sari Brecosky, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Writing Essentials for First Grade
 Required writing types are: Personal narrative, research, informational/explanatory,
descriptive, procedural, and opinion.
 By the end of 1st grade, students will be able to write one paragraph that includes an
introductory topic sentence, detail sentences (2-5), and a concluding sentence that
supports a beginning, middle, and end.
 Build writing stamina through daily writing experiences for an extended amount of time
(starting at three minutes and building toward several minutes).
 Teachers model writing for whole class, small groups, and individual students with a
focus on sentence structure.
 Capitalize the beginning of a sentence, the pronoun “I”, and proper names.
 Use appropriate punctuation at the end of a sentence (a complete thought).
 Writing is a means of documenting thinking.
 Writing is a recursive process that conveys ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
 Purpose, topic and audience guide types of writing.
 Supporting evidence should be used in opinion and informational writing (ie- include the
detail or reason and why).
 Handwriting instruction is different from and not part of writing instruction. Writing
instruction includes spelling, grammar, crafting good sentences, documenting thinking,
and communicating ideas, thoughts, and information.
Developed with Sari Brecosky, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Writing Essentials for SECOND GRADE
 Required writing types are: Personal narrative, research, informational/explanatory,
descriptive, procedural, and opinion.
 By the end of 2nd grade, students will be able to write three paragraphs – an
introductory paragraph, a body paragraph, and a concluding paragraph. Paragraphs will
include an introductory topic sentence, detail sentences (2-5), and a concluding
sentence that supports a beginning, middle, and end.
 Transition words and sentences should be used as needed within and between
paragraphs.
 Build writing stamina through daily writing experiences for an extended amount of time
(starting at five minutes and building toward several minutes).
 Teachers model writing for whole class, small groups, and individual students with a
focus on sentence structure.
 Capitalize the beginning of a sentence, the pronoun “I”, and proper names.
 Use appropriate punctuation at the end of a sentence (a complete thought).
 Writing is a means of documenting thinking.
 Writing is a recursive process that conveys ideas, thoughts and feelings.
 Purpose, topic and audience guide types of writing.
 Supporting evidence should be used in opinion and informational writing (ie- include the
detail or reason and why).
 Handwriting instruction is different from and not part of writing instruction. Writing
instruction includes spelling, grammar, crafting good sentences, documenting thinking,
and communicating ideas, thoughts, and information.
Developed with Sari Brecosky, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
The Dirty Half Dozen – Errors in Academic Writing
Grade 2
 "This is about" or "I will tell you about"
 “One day…”
 “Once upon a time…”
 "The End"
 "Good-bye"
 "Thank you for reading my essay."
Developed with Sari Brecosky, Allegheny Intermediate Unit