Writing just doesn't happen.  Writing is a skill , and like every other skill, students acquire it after much encouragement and practice through instruction and assigning various types of writing to be completed in class and as homework.  
Our goal is not to make every student a poet laureate or prizewinning journalist.  Our goal is to help every student learn how to organize his or her thoughts and communicate them in an effective way so that other people can understand and appreciate them.  If we can achieve this goal, then students will have acquired a skill that will last a lifetime. 
 
 
 
As a parent, you can help your child develop good writing skills.  The following are a few suggestions:  

Read aloud to your child as often as possible. 
Children's books are fine, but don't stop there.  Try to read a favorite comic strip together every day.  Read aloud postcards and greeting cards that come in the mail.  Make shopping lists together.  Make sure your child understands that the written word is important. 

Encourage All Writing Efforts. 
As soon as your child can put words down on paper encourage them to write.  Have readily available a variety of writing implements (crayons, markers, pencils, pens, etc.) and paper for your children to use. 

 
 
 
 Encourage your child to keep a journal. 
Provide a book with blank pages or better yet make a journal together.  Encourage your child to record day to day events.  If your child is too young to write, have them draw pictures to represent the events of their day.  A journal is permanent record where children can record family outings, fun with friends, and every day thoughts.  Unlike speaking, writing can be forever and represents your child's life history. 
 
 

Provide a comfortable place to write. 
Provide a cozy, private spot that invites reading and writing.  Select the spot with your child.  Have writing supplies on hand.  If possible, add a desk and chair and don't forget a wastebasket so children undertstand that write takes practice and revision.  Basic reference books such as a dictionary, thesaurus an almanac, and an atlas are handy for children to look up information. 

 Talk about writers and writing. 
Discuss different types and purposes for writing.  This gives children a sense of audience and voice.  Read together different sections of the newspaper; e.g. letters to the editor, help wanted ads, or search for stories by a favorite newspaper reporter. Discuss the author's purpose for writing the piece.  Discuss what makes writing good or bad. 
Discuss how one's writing can get better. 
Encourage your child to revise and edit their writing.  Encourage and applaud your child's early writing effort and use the wastebasket sparingly.  Remind your child that writing is a creative process and doesn't end with the first draft.  Encourage children to reread their work even a year later to see if they want to make revisions. 
 
 
 
Show your child that you value their writing.  Listen carefully when your child reads their personal writing.  Collect their writings in a scrapbook, display their writing, or show them to relatives, friends.
Set a good example.  Write letters and cards to friends and family.  If your school has a WEE Deliver in-school  postal program obtain your child's address and mail your child letters.
 
Click here to see required pieces of writing for each grade level: 
Click here to see procedures for  
administering: 
 
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