The writing cards allow students to practice informational writing. There are 60+ Writing Cards. Each card has a simple phrase and picture clue to enable the students to figure out the activity. The cards can be run off and placed on a ring by punching a hole in the corner of each card. Teachers can offer students a choice by having all of the cards available or limit the choices by only offering a few activities on a ring and adding/deleting cards over time. If you are looking for structured choices, then simply put all the cards on a ring and tell students which cards are available on a particular day. Each of the cards can be numbered and you might say, “Today’s choice is # 3 or #7”.

The cards will aide students in choosing informational writing tasks and understanding each of the writing formats. How to, Report on, Describe and Persuade are included. Teachers should introduce one type of writing at a time and show students how the graphic helps you to recognize what the writing task requires. I have also included extra cards with the title words so that you may add your own ideas and cards with key words or thoughts to aid children in the process of the type of writing required.

These cards can be used during Writer’s Workshop, Center Time, with the Daily 5, for Nonfiction Writing or as a way to assist children in thinking of an idea.

(c) 2013 – Donna Whyte. Donna Whyte grants permission to the original purchaser to reproduce material for their own classroom use only. No other part of this work may be reproduced in whole or in part by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the author.