Middle School Writing Resources
Teaching Fiction and Non Fiction Writing
Writing is in an integral part of the school curriculum. Time for Kids has provided detailed instructions on a variety of writing with samples.
Time for Kids has created a writing resource center for students and teachers. Teachers may know the basics for writing but may need a refresher course on the specifics. Time for Kids writing resource center gives an overview of the writing style coupled with a sample and a checklist. Writing overview explains the purpose of the writing and provides a model paper, organizer, and checklist to ensure the student has not missed key components for the writing.
Online Writing Resources
Compare and Contrast Essay, How to Article, News Story, Oral Report, Biography, Book Report, Persuasive Essay, Business Letter, Persuasive Narrative, and Research Paper are the writing styles highlighted on Time for Kids. The online writing resource is an excellent tool as it provides simple step by step instructions on how to create these writing papers. It includes: overview, model paper, graphic organizers, writing prompts, and writing checklist.
Idea Organizer
A graphic organizer is included for each writing project and can be downloaded by students and educators. Students simply place the required information into each separate box in the graphic organizer to create an essay, article, or paper. As well, the organizer includes prompts to assist the students in the writing process. Students are best given prompts to begin their thinking, otherwise some will have difficulty using the idea organizer. In addition, a variety of graphic organizers are employed based on the information needed for the writing.
Checklist
Each of the writings has a checklist to aid the student in completing all of the steps in the process. Checklists take pressure off the teacher and place it onto the students. If a student has missing data in the checklist he must reevaluate his writing. If the student submits a writing with an incomplete checklist, it tells the teacher the assignment is incomplete.
Online Student Writing Resource Summary
Time for Kids has done an exemplary job of providing educators with an online resource that can be adapted for all grade levels. Each modeled paper is a reference guide for students to develop each style of writing.
Time for Kids online writing resource was written for students but is an excellent tool for teachers, as well. Writing resource is free, accessible to all and can be used via the computer or printed for students. Another option is to laminate each page and create a booklet for students and teachers. Inadvertently, as students learn about a writing style, they are also learning about a topic through the modeled paper. Learning is always multi-faceted.
Time for Kids provides students and teachers with samples of writing but also has included expert tips on writing. Writing process is not a single step but rather various steps that change depending on the message or information being conveyed. Time for Kids writers and editors have answered questions about the writing process and provided their own writing strategies. As well, pre-writing is an important step before the pencil hits the paper.
