Before Christmas break I wanted to touch on How-To Writing with my kids. I've used Amy Lemons' and Hope King's Write On units all year long so of course I used their How To unit! I loved the interactive, introductory activity they created; which was How to Make Pie in a Cup. Furthermore, I recently purchased a new Canon DSLR camera and was able to get some action shots while the kids were making their pie.
This particular activity made the students aware of each step of how to make the pie. It was a perfect activity because it helped the students realize and understand that adding those specific little details is crucial when you are writing a How To..I don't know how many times they just said, "Put the whip cream on." So I would take the whole container and just set it on the cup and they were yelling, "Nooo!!!" It was a perfect opportunity to talk about those smaller details in writing.
We then wrote a short piece on How to Decorate a Christmas Tree and most of the students added more details. They would say, you can't just write put the lights on; you have to say take the lights and wrap them around the tree!
If you are looking for a supplemental or even a writing curriculum I HIGHLY recommend their units! They have made teaching all of the Writing & Grammar this year 10xs easier, and I love that the activities are colorful, use rigor, but are teaching them as well without pushing worksheets!!
Here are some pictures from our Pie in A Cup How To...
We first put all the steps in order for our Pre-Writing...
Then the Pie Making began!
We carefully wrote our steps in-between....
Finally we're able to eat it!!
Here is the link for Amy and Hope's How To unit...
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