Grade 2 Writing

We are all writers.

Writers improve their craft by practicing every day.

Using routines increases independence.

Writers understand how to use figurative language and word choice in poetry to create meaning.

Writers understand that poetry has a unique form.

Participate during writing mini lessons

Use writing workshop materials

Demonstrate understanding of writer's workshop routines

Come up with ideas to write about (i.e. brainstorming, etc.)

Write independently during writers workshop for increasing amounts of time

Use figurative language in poetry (simile, metaphor, etc.)

Use vivid word choice to create impact

Draft numerous poems

Share their writing with others

Demonstrate how to "read like a writer" with grade-appropriate texts

Make use of the praise-question-polish routine for providing feedback to peers

Make use of the praise-question-polish routine when accepting feedback from others

Demonstrate increased stamina for independent writing throughout the unit

We all have stories to tell.

We can tell our stories in words, both by speaking it and by writing it.

Writers follow a process.

Mentor authors give us inspiration and ideas.

Small moments allow us to hone in on a focused personal experience.

Use a variety of strategies to gather ideas and plan for writing personal narratives

Follow workshop routines

Hone in on small moments when drafting personal narratives

Use a variety of strategies to elaborate personal narrative writing (show, don't tell; stretching it out; playing the story in your mind; talking through the story with a partner; zooming in)

Begin the story with an effective lead (story beginning)

Use transitions and temporal words to signal event order (story middle)

Create a sense of closure to the story (story ending)

Strengthen writing through the process of revision

Use a variety of strategies for spelling while drafting and editing

Utilize tools for editing, spelling, and conventions (writing folders, personal spelling dictionaries)

Add value to the story by including realistic illustrations

Writers use text features to organize information for the reader.

(ex. headings, table of contents, glossaries, bolded words).

Writers craft an engaging introduction to grab the readers attention.

Non fiction books are organized around a central topic.

Non fiction books have a main idea with supporting details in each section of their book.

Introduce their topic in an engaging way

Choose a topic that they have expertise in

Use their knowledge on a chosen topic to inform an audience

Craft multiple main ideas/ chapters and add relevant supporting details for each section

Layout each chapter in their book that is neatly laid out and visually appealing

Fiction stories follow a general structure and include common story elements.

Stories have a plot (problem and solution).

Authors of fiction bring characters to life with action and/or dialogue.

Writers engage in the writing process (plan, draft, revise and edit).

Use mentor authors to notice what other writers do that works well

Choose an idea and begin to develop characters and a setting

Create scenes that show their characters motivations and struggles

Create a story mountain to help them plan and organize their thoughts

Create a problem with rising actions that spread over several pages

Put the character(s) into action

Reread their writing several times for several reasons, editing as they go

Write by staying in the scene, making sure the action and dialogue are grounded in the setting

Write beginnings that hook and grab the readers attention

Write powerful endings, making sure they mesh with and serve the purposes of their stories

Revise by re-reading with a lens

Choose words, structures, and punctuation to help convey the content, mood, tone, and feelings of the piece (i.e. adjectives, dialogue, adverbs, similes etc)

Review writing is a powerful way to get people to appreciate a different point of view, change their way of thinking, and/or to take action.

Writers form opinions about topics by thinking about their likes and dislikes.

Review writing evaluating relies on the strength of the supporting details.

Write opinion pieces in which they introduce their topic or book.

Supply reasons to support their opinion.

Use linking words to connect their opinion to their reason.

Provide a concluding statement or section.

Provide a summary of their topic (book, movie, toy etc..)

Use comparisons

Provide pros and cons