Supporting the Writing Process: What Teachers Can Do in the Classroom

Writing is more than just another subject—it’s a key skill that helps our students express their ideas, make sense of the world, and grow as thinkers. For our elementary learners, writing also strengthens reading by building vocabulary, deepening understanding of text structure, and reinforcing comprehension. But too often, writing gets less attention than reading or other content areas. If we want our students to become confident writers and stronger readers, we need to give writing regular time, clear instruction, and meaningful support in our classrooms.

For most K–5 students, writing isn’t something that comes naturally—it’s a skill that needs to be taught clearly and intentionally, just like math or science. Here's why explicit writing instruction is so important:

• Writing is a big process: Young writers need help learning how to come up with ideas, organize them, choose the right words, write complete sentences, and go back to revise and edit. Without step-by-step teaching, many students feel stuck or unsure of what to do next.

• Reading and writing are different skills: Just because a student can read a strong paragraph doesn’t mean they know how to write one. They need us to model the process, provide guided practice, and give clear feedback to grow as writers.

• Writing helps students think better: When kids write, they learn to slow down, organize their thoughts, and make meaning. Teaching writing explicitly helps them understand how to communicate clearly and think more deeply.

• It supports all learners: Not every student enters school with the same experiences or exposure to writing. Teaching writing in a clear and consistent way gives every child the tools they need to succeed—no matter where they start.

What Teachers Can Do in the Classroom

So how can K–5 teachers encourage more writing—and teach students how to do it well? Here are practical, age-appropriate strategies to build confident writers at every grade level:

1. Integrate Daily Writing Time 

   Make writing a regular part of each school day. This could be through journals, responses to reading, content-area writing, or creative storytelling. Even short “quick writes” in science, social studies, or math help students practice putting their thinking into words. It can be as easy as a 90 seconds time to write what they are thinking.

   
   

2. Model the Writing Process—Even in the Early Grades 

   Let students see what writers do. For our youngest learners in Kindergarten and 1st grade, the daily message or shared writing is a perfect time to model writing. Think aloud as you form sentences, make choices, and revise. When students watch you write, they learn how writing works.

   
   

3. Use Mentor Texts

   Share strong examples of writing—from read-aloud books to student samples—and explore what makes them effective. Point out structure, word choice, or voice, and invite students to try similar moves in their own writing

   
   

4. Teach Specific Skills in Lessons

   Break writing into manageable parts. Teach one skill at a time, like how to write a good lead, use details, or add dialogue. Keep lessons short and focused, then give students a chance to apply the skill right away.

   
   

5. Support with Tools and Scaffolds 

   Use graphic organizers, word banks, sentence starters, and anchor charts to help students plan and organize their writing. These supports are especially helpful for early writers and English learners, and can be gradually removed as confidence builds.

   
   

6. Make Time for Feedback and Revision

   Encourage a culture where writing is expected to grow. Give students specific feedback and time to revise. Teach peer feedback routines, and model how to give helpful, kind suggestions.

   
   

7. Celebrate Student Writing

   Let students know their writing matters. Display it on a writing wall, bind it into books, or hold Author’s Chair time where students can share their work. When students see their writing valued, their motivation and pride grow.

By weaving writing into daily routines, modeling the process, and celebrating effort and growth, we create classrooms where all students can see themselves as writers—starting in Kindergarten and growing all the way through fifth grade.

Happy Writing

-Michelle and Heidi