The publisher suggests using The How to Write Book for grades 3-6, but I suggest trying some of the ideas with younger students to develop a proper attitude and approach to writing before they get stuck in a typical workbook approach to writing. This workbook can be used by older students working independently for the most part.
Author Ellen Hajek stresses thinking and planning before writing. Within that process, students identify their audience and purpose, crucial steps in good writing. Models and simple instructions make the writing process "non-threatening."
Children work with an assortment of assignments that range from very short and simple, such as circling topic sentences, through the complex tasks of writing formal reports, poetry, essays, and short stories. Along the way they learn about paragraphs, planning, topic sentences, letter writing, book reports, news reports, outlines, titles, mechanics, style, and proof reading. Many of these topics are dealt with briefly, but taken altogether, this is a good resource for developing writing skills.
The artwork and graphics have been redone in this newest edition, and its a huge improvement. While the content has always been excellent, now the visual appearance has been brought up to that same high level.
The book is self-contained. There are only a few of the exercises that have definite answers, and those answers are provided at the back of the book.
An ebook version is also available directly from the publisher.
