Here are some tips and activities for teaching journal writing, news articles, and letters:
Journal writing
Objective: Encourage self-expression and develop writing fluency.
Daily journal prompts
Provide a daily prompt to stimulate their thinking. For example, "Write about your favorite holiday memory" or "Describe a time you felt proud of yourself."
Free writing time
Allow students to write freely about anything they choose for a set amount of time. This helps them get comfortable with writing without constraints.
Reflection journals
Have students reflect on their day or week, focusing on what they learned, what they enjoyed, and what they found challenging.
Illustrated journals
Encourage students to include drawings or doodles in their journals to express their thoughts visually as well as in words.
Journal writing worksheets
In our grade 5 writing section, we have a set of worksheets with writing prompts for students to practice journal writing.
News articles
Objective: Teach students to write informative and factual pieces.
Understanding news structure
Teach the structure of a news article: headline, byline, lead, body, and conclusion.
News writing practice
Have students write a news article on a school event or a current event. Provide them with a template to follow.
This news writing worksheet from our grade 5 writing section should be of help.
Interview exercises
Pair students to interview each other and then write a news article based on the interview.
Classroom newspaper
Create a classroom newspaper where students contribute articles. Assign roles such as editor, reporter, and photographer.
Letter writing
Objective: Teach students the format and purpose of personal and formal letters.
Letter structure
Explain the parts of a letter: heading, greeting, body, closing, and signature.
Pen pal program
Set up a pen pal exchange with another class or school. This gives students a real audience for their writing.
Thank you letters
After a class event or guest speaker, have students write thank you letters. This teaches gratitude and formal letter writing.
Letters to future self
Have students write letters to their future selves, which can be opened at the end of the school year. This is a fun and reflective activity.
Practical writing worksheets
This writing page of contains a variety of worksheets for students to practice writing letters, emails, thank you notes and directions.
General tips
Model writing
Show examples of journals, news articles, and letters. Write your own examples in front of the class.
Peer review
Implement a peer review system where students share their work and give constructive feedback.
Use technology
If possible, use computers or tablets to type and format their work. This can be especially motivating for students.
Celebrate writing
Celebrate students’ writing through displays, readings, and publishing their work in a class book.
Learn to edit
Teach students that part of writing involves editing drafts. These worksheets will help them start the editing process.
