"How-To" Writing

Last week the children were introduced to procedural writing or as we call it "How to" writing. The children were immersed in this unit of study all week!

Day 1
First, I demonstrated the procedure of making chocolate milk through my own writing. Then, the children turned and talked to a partner and shared the steps they would use to make chocolate milk. Next, they were encouraged to use special "how to" paper to write the steps of how to make chocolate milk.

Day 2
I reviewed the chart of the steps to writing a "How to". Then, I made chocolate milk in front of the children by following the steps of a "How to" that a child in the class had written (the children were disappointed that they weren't making the chocolate milk themselves or even able to drink some!). After, the children continued to work on their How to Make Chocolate Milk pieces.

Day 3
After reviewing the chart of the steps to writing a "How to" again, the children were given the topic of how to make pizza. They turned and talked to their partner to share the steps they would use to make pizza. Then, they were off to their tables to begin writing.


During this coming week, we will brainstorm things we are experts in. The list will be things the children will write about this week in Writer's Workshop and tell their peers how to do! We will also look at "How To's" from books, recipes, games, etc. The children were very excited about this type of writing and I can't wait to see what they write about this week!