We have learned so much in writing this year!  As we are finishing up our first unit on opinion essays, I find myself reflecting on how much we cover in our first unit.

The fifth graders have learned how to focus on the ideas of their writing in their brainstorms, use an outline to organize their writing, and use those prewriting pieces to compose a rough draft.  We have learned how to be effective revisers and editors.  Students have spent time focusing on improving the sentence fluency of their writing.  We have discussed thesis statements and concluding sentences, main ideas and supporting details, types of sentences, transition phrases, and so much more.  It’s exciting to see them pulling together a final essay to be published next week.