argument writing · immersion · informational writing · narrative · persuasive writing · picture book · poetry · primary grades · Read Aloud

Teaching the Four Types of Writing Through Texts

Stacey Shubitz
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of five copies of Janiel Wagstaff's Stella Series Books.
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of five copies of Janiel Wagstaff’s Stella Series Books.

Immersing young writers in a genre helps them understand what a type of writing is. Spending a few days on immersion, before diving into a unit of study, is always time well-spent. After all, kids need to know what argument, informational, narrative and poetry writing sounds like before they’re expected to produce something similar.

Janiel Wagstaff published the Stella series of books, which is about a second-grade student and her classmates who thrive in a joyful, supportive writing workshop classroom. However, the Stella books — Stella: Poet Extraordinaire, Stella and Class: Information Experts, Stella Tells Her Story, and Stella Writes An Opinion — aren’t just books you read aloud once to your students and toss aside. They can be used in a variety of ways. Janiel’s book page includes instructional strategies for each book, suggestions for adaptations across grade levels, and downloads of (the fictional) Stella’s writing that can be used in minilessons (notes, drafts with revisions and edits, as well as final copies).

I asked Janiel how she imagines teachers using her books in the classroom. Here’s what she said:

First, Stella, with her can-do, empowered personality has already been a wonderful inspiration to student writers.  Teachers can read the books or parts of them aloud simply as a means to motivate their students to write.  I’ve shared the books in many classrooms and delight in how even kindergartners take on a persona of confidence and purpose after hearing Stella’s stories.  She is, and was meant to be, a positive model for students to relate to and emulate.  Throughout the books she engages deeply with her writing, problem solves and preservers to achieve her goals and, in the end, her writing and that of her classmates has real purpose.  This is another HUGE theme I’ve tried to convey within the texts—that the writing we do with students should be purposeful so they understand the power of their voices.  My hope is teachers take that point to heart and look to find ways to make the writing they do with their students more purposeful, and thus, engaging.
The narrative, informative and opinion texts all cover possible explicit steps for teaching the genres while meeting standards.  I included these to scaffold instruction for teachers who are newer to the teaching of writing.  The steps can be followed as they are presented in each text, while the books are read in chunks/sections, if teachers desire such scaffolding.  In my experience doing workshops and talking with teachers over the course of decades, many desire such support, especially in the teaching of writing.  Additionally,  a plethora of instructional techniques are shown in the books including modeled and shared writing, using a Running Topics List, oral rehearsal, peer work, using reading to stimulate writing, etc. Even more experienced teachers look for ways to enhance or breathe new life into their writing workshops, and my hope is there is something for everyone among the books.
Another thought is that teachers can use the books to revisit teaching points throughout the year as they continually write in varied genres with students.  Say, for example, a teacher would like to encourage a group of students to branch out on their own or in partners to write on a topic of interest.  She might revisit the questioning, organizing, researching and note taking sections of Stella and Class: Information Experts to stimulate discussion of this process.  Another example: say a student is stuck and cannot come up with an ending for his piece.  A teacher can turn to Stella Writes an Opinion and review what strategies Stella used to overcome that same problem.  Possibilities for revisiting teaching points whole-class, small group, or with individuals across the books abound.

But how can these books help struggling writers? Janiel answered that question, even before I asked it, on her own blog.

Let’s not forget the strugglers:  those who stare at the page blankly, those who wrestle with spelling, those who are crippled by perfection, those who feel they have nothing of worth to say, or those who begin a new school year, with long, sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks and a profound dislike  for writing.  I thought a lot about them as I formed Stella, because it’s students like her who help lift the writing bar.  Stella is a model of writing hope.  And, alongside her teacher and classmates, her classroom is a place of writing joy.  The struggle is worth it, the struggle is worth it.  Everyone has a story to tell.  Everyone has something we need to take the time to hear.

The Stella books are a worthy addition to any primary writing classroom. Not only will they help you ground your students’ understanding about the different types of writing, but they are resources you can use throughout units of study.

Giveaway Information:

  • This giveaway is for five sets of four Stella books.  Many thanks to Staff Development for Educators for donating this series to five separate readers. 
  • For a chance to win one set of the Stella series books, please leave a comment about this post by Sunday, May 22nd at 11:59 p.m. EDT. I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winners, whose names I will announce at the bottom of this post, by Tuesday, May 24th.
  • Please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you post your comment, so I can contact you to obtain your mailing address if you win.  From there, Staff Development for Educators will ship your books out to you.  (NOTE: Your e-mail address will not be published online if you leave it in the e-mail field only.)
  • If you are the winner of the book, I will email you with the subject line of TWO WRITING TEACHERS – STELLA. Please respond to my e-mail with your mailing address within five days of receipt. Unfortunately, a new winner will be chosen if a response isn’t received within five days of the giveaway announcement.

Comments are now closed. Thank you to everyone who left a comment on this post.

I used a random number generator to select the winners of the Stella books. The winners are:

Lisa Corbett

Judith Cullen

Jennifer Maier

Michelle Rose

Nicole Sakellarion

 

 

Published by Stacey Shubitz

I am a literacy consultant who focuses on writing workshop. I've been working with K-6 teachers and students since 2009. Prior to that, I was a fourth and fifth-grade teacher in New York City and Rhode Island. I'm the author of Craft Moves (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016) and the co-author of Jump Into Writing (Zaner-Bloser, 2021), Welcome to Writing Workshop (Stenhouse Publishers, 2019), and Day By Day (Stenhouse, 2010). I live in Central Pennsylvania with my husband and children. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, doing Pilates, cooking, baking, making ice cream, and reading novels.

285 thoughts on “Teaching the Four Types of Writing Through Texts”

  7. These books would be perfect for my strugglers. Actually, they would be perfect for all of my children. Thank you for sharing!

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  9. I love the idea of a series in writing. We see many series and character books in reading. Can’t wait to dive into these books next year.

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  11. These books are perfect for helping primary students learn the characteristics of each genre of writing! Thank you for putting out the information about this great resource!

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  12. What a creative and fresh approach! I’ve been using writing curriculum for two decades now, and I don’t say that often. I would love to use these with students.

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  15. It’s so neat that she had already anticipated the question about struggling students on her blog! These seem like the perfect books to use again and again for instruction!

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  16. I love that students can fall in love with Stella, and revisit a her as she writes across genres. I would also do an author study with these series and ask the author if Stella’s character is based on and inspired by real person? If so who?

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    1. Hi Priscilla! Great question. No, Stella is not inspired by any one student. She is an amalgamation of students I’ve had in years past. The books contain many real scenarios from my classrooms over they years, though. For example, every example in the poetry book came from my years in second grade. My son, Max, who is a second grader this year, was rather annoyed that I decided to make the main character a girl!

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  17. I really could have used these books while teaching writing in genres to my ESL students. Now I can use them in workshops about doing the same. All kids learn more enthusiastically when there’s a narrator they can identify with.

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  20. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win these Stella books. I will be teaching fourth grade writing this year and would love to have the books to engage my students.

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  26. A heroine who insipires other kids to write…Stella sounds like someone I want to introduce to teachers and students alike. Excited to see the books!

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  27. Very clever to have a series of mentor texts where the student is doing the writing work. Love the idea of using it in small group work to support students where they are at!

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  30. WOW!!! What an incredible list of mentor text titles… none that I was familiar with!! Thank you for this unbelievable resource!!!!

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  32. Immersion in the genre through reading workshop is so key prior to writing. Thank you for sharing these mentor texts. I have not heard of them before!

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  33. What an amazing idea! I can’t believe we haven’t seen anything like this before:) I love using mentor texts as a model with students, but this offers a new way to share explicit teaching!

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  36. This looks like an incredible tool! It would be amazing to win and either way I think I”ll be looking to get these!

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  39. These books would be perfect for my mini lessons. Writing is such an important component to literacy and like most 2nd grade teachers, I find myself searching for a book that engages my students and demonstrates the writing procedure. These books are a writing teacher’s dream!

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  51. I’ve been looking for books to introduce each writing genre! So glad they went through my Facebook feed today because they look wonderful!

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  52. What a great idea! I believe that learning through story is one of the strongest ways you can learn, especially children. I can’t wait to read these books and use them in my classroom.

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  54. I would love to win a set of the books. It’s always great if students can follow a mentor text character from one writing genre to another. If I win, I will share with my grade level team mate.
    xxMichelle

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  55. How timely to read about these now–just spent an afternoon at a district ELA meeting creating lists of mentor texts. We’ll add these for sure, but it’d be great to win them. Thanks for the comprehensive review!

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  59. Thanks for taking the time to review these! I’m always skeptical to purchase books that highlight “how to” craft pieces within a particular mode… I’d love to win them! 🙂

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  63. I love using literature to introduce and teach writing. Mentor texts for primary grades are difficult to find. These look great!

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  68. These look like they would be a great complement to other Writer’s Workshop books and tools I use! Would love to win a copy!

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  70. These books are perfect! I know my class(es) could really learn from them! Would love the opportunity to use them in my classroom for free 🙂

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  72. Our kindergarten team (8 of us!) is in search of mentor texts for next year. Our school will be purchasing for each of our classrooms, and we would love the opportunity to check these out!

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  75. Wow! I would love these. I am moving to grade 2 next year and can use all the suggestions I can get. Great set of books!

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  78. Stella looks like the perfect addition to any Writer’s Workshop! Love exposing kids to characters who are writers! Thank you for sharing!

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  79. I’m always looking for books that inspire my students. These look like books that will touch kindergarten writers. I would love these to read to my kids. I love it when books are written from the perspective of a child!

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  84. So excited to see mentor texts geared towards our learning objectives! I’ll have to pick up a set even if I don’t win!

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  88. I am so glad to have started following your blog! As an Instructional Technology Coach, I am always looking for connections between curriculum, instruction and technology. I am not familiar with the Stella books but will definitely be checking them out. I am currently reading Flip Your Writing Workshop by Dana Johansen and Sonja Cherry-Paul and they discuss many of the same struggles that students have with the writing process (i.e. staring at the blank page). I can’t wait to compare how Stella and her classmates find ways to work through these struggles with the strategy of flipped learning.

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  90. This set of books look like a must have for any teachers library. They would be great way for students to relate to different types of writing. Thanks for the opportunity to win. 🙂

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  91. As a middle school teacher, I’ve found that picture books are often the perfect introduction to a topic. These look like they would be great.

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  93. These books look like another “must have” set to add to the collection. I teach first grade, and also interventions to older students. They look perfect for writing interventions! I will have to buy these if I don’t win a set! Thanks for sharing all the incredible literature!

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  94. This is exactly what I’m looking for! As the literacy coach of a Title I school I need to reach students K-6. Writing is the hardest subject!

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  95. These look like a must have set, so I hope that I win them, but if not, I will have to buy them! I teach first grade, but also interventions to older students, and these sound perfect for some writing interventions!

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  96. So impressed with all of the ideas I get from Two Writing Teachers blog. I am always trying to perfect the way I teach and model writing for my students. I would love to win copies of these books!

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  98. I enjoy that the books include the power of the struggle and the process, verses the polished end result. I hope to use these books in the future within my writers workshop. Thank you.
    Leslie

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  100. I am so excited about these books! I teach dual immersion in a 50/50 Spanish model. Because of this most of my students are ELLs that need this kind of resource to help them learn to write effectively.

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    1. Hi Allison,
      Thanks so much for your question. I agree with you. The books are great additions to the Units of Study since they reconfirm the lessons taught therein from the perspective of Stella and a classroom in action. Additionally, I appreciate how you noticed the ’empathy, perseverance, and flexibility’ themes. I wrote the books with these in mind, attempting to reinforce how important, useful and healthy these mindsets are. Successful, joyful writers work from these stances every day!
      Enjoy your Sunday,
      Janiel

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    2. Thank you, Janiel, for sharing your thoughts, and for taking the time to respond. I look forward to adding your books to my collection.

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  106. Stacey, Thanks for this post. I’ve been seeing these books for a while, but didn’t really know much about them.
    Question: how do they fit in with the Units of Study from TCRWP?
    At the very least, it seems they would be great just having stories about kids writing; seems like it could help students feel less anxious about writing, and give them a character they could identify with.
    I also thought a lot about the book A Mindset For Learning as I read this post. The stances of empathy, perseverance, and flexibility jumped out at me. I know Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz advocate teaching these, and other, stances through the use of storytelling. These Stella books seem perfect for that. What do you think?

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  119. These books look WONDERFUL!! I would LOVE to add them to my library for a new approach to teach writing in my 5th grade classroom!

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  121. Sending this post to my first grade teacher mentor who first got me into Reading and Writing WOrkshop- it is so fun to turn HER onto new wonderful resources. Thank You!

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  125. These books would be so beneficial in explaining these types of writing to my students with autism. Picture books are always a clear, motivating way of demonstrating these types of writing. I would love to be able to add these books to my library.

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  138. These books so incredible! I will have to put them on my supply list at school no matter what. All the teachers at my school could use these books to help them teach writing. Thanks for sharing!

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  140. I love the idea of these books – inspiring both writing and reading. This is a great way to introduce the four different writing types to young students. They will use these four for the rest of their days in school (and beyond).

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  142. Thank you for introducing educators to these titles. No matter how many years an educator has spent in a classroom, it always helps to get a fresh perspective or a reassurance that teaching writing does not always have to be so hard and once the purpose for reading/writing a text has been clearly defined, there are endless opportunities to use the text a number of times in a reading/writing workshop!

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    1. Great point, Sarah. I think the books are great for transitioning from one genre to another, then revisiting to dig deeper or reinforce specific teaching points. Happy writing!

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  146. These books would be so helpful when teaching and switching from unit to unit. I use Lucy’s curriculum for writing workshop and these would help my students with the transition to a new genre.

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  150. Hi! This was my first year teaching. I wish I’d had your Stella series to use as a resource for teaching writing. My first grade students struggled more with writing than an other area of learning. It sounds like your series would be a very helpful tool for both my students and I!

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  152. This is EXACTLY what I need for my 2nd graders. I look forward to introducing my new group to Stella in the fall!

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  153. What a wonderful resource! We just began Writers’ Workshop this year and this would be a great addition to our resources!

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  154. These books would be a great addition to my writer’s workshop library! I would be thrilled to win them for my Kindys!

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  157. Could you imagine students picking up these book on their own to support their writing after they have been introduced? Could they be used as a writing tool to support independence or students teaching others? Look forward to reading them and imagining the possibilties for the writers in my multiage classroom.

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  158. I teach Kindergarten, but definitely could use your books as an introduction to my students about these types of writing. I would love a set to share with my team! Thank you for this opportunity!

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  160. Maybe Stella can have a classmate named Sam or Stanley. It’s great to have more growth mindset books that relate to reading and writing.

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  164. I teach 4th grade…but as I read the description of Stella…I saw these books would be a great addition to my workshop library! I love the fact that the books can mentor as well as inspire! 😊

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  165. These would be a great addition to our Writer’s Workshop time. I’m always looking for ways to bring more real-life examples into the classroom. My student Stella would love these, too 🙂

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  168. These books look amazing. I love using mentor text to teach writing concepts and craft to students. Stella sounds like she continues the growth mindset we have adopted to inspire and give confidence to reluctant writers. Thank you for the opportunity to win them!

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  174. I have always struggled with getting my struggling kindergarteners to get them to self motivate, I think these Stella books would be just the answer!

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  182. I love the reminder about supporting our students to write with a purpose so they can develop their own voice. Thanks!

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  185. These books would be a fantastic addition to my basket of writing mentor books! I could see revisiting them over and over again! Thank you!

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  188. I would love to have these. I think it would be nice to have a continuing character to help motivate the students through their various writings.

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  189. These books look wonderful. Totally agree about genre immersion being time well spent. Excited to see these books for their content and instructional techniques.

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  190. I teach second grade and I would LOVE to have these to use whe teaching the writing units! Can’t wait to use them next year!

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  191. My students would appreciate these books, looking at writing through another second grader’s eyes. Perfect!

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  193. These look like a great resource for primary teachers who are writing their own mentor texts to support their students. Thank you for writing these!!!:)

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  200. The Stella Book Series sounds like just what is needed for my students who struggle with writing! I can’t wait to share the books with my small writing group.

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  201. WOW! Thank you for the great post and the opportunity to win the entire series of Stella books…they would be put to good use in my joyful writing workshop! :):):)

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  208. Love this idea! I always start a new unit of study with immersion in the genre & a discussion of its purpose & structure. These books would be a great addition:)

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  209. What a fantastic resource for the classroom! The Stella book series would be a welcomed supplement to my current writing curriculum. My students would be engaged, inspired writers after learning about the different types of writing through this series.

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  212. I’m always on the lookout for new mentor texts to share with our students to help them improve their writing. Thanks again for bringing this series to our attention!

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  220. These books looks amazing. I believe that these books will empower and support my students understanding about each type of writing. I will be more than happy if I win these books. I will also share these titles with my supervisor in order for her to purchase the books for each teacher in my school.
    Thanks for this wonderful opportunity.

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  225. Would love to share these with my teachers!! Always looking for how-to texts to reach those younger writers!!

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  226. I’m a resource teacher for an elementary school. My kids often struggle when writing and I try to give them as much support as possible. These mentor texts would be a wonderful addition to my classroom!

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  231. I would love to use these in the classroom! What a great mentor text opportunity! Are they available to buy online right now? (if I don’t win them!)

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    1. Maribethbatcho…Funny you should ask that!! Yes, the next set of books will feature a boy character. In fact, my own little writer, my son Max, was quite frustrated with me for starting out with Stella as the main. 😉 Happy writing!

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  234. I have been looking at this grouping of books off and on for a little while, so I am excited to see them being reviewed here. They would be a great addition to a repertoire of already terrific mentors, but seem like they would be great for the reluctant writer in all of our rooms. I wonder if the author considered having boy characters. So many of my reluctant writers are boys…Thanks for the review and for the opportunity to win a set!

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  235. My students would really benefit from these. There’s not much out there to help teach this as far as children’s books go! Thank you for the chance.

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  239. How fabulous!! I would love to use these books in my writing workshop in Australia. Hoping this offer is available for overseas readers of TWT.

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  240. I teach writing to fourth graders and am always looking for meaningful mentor texts. These books seem to take the mentor text idea to a new level. I can’t wait to incorporate them in my classroom.

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  242. I would love to have these. They look amazingand I would love to add these to my collection to improve my writing instruction for all my kiddos!

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  245. These books look very engaging and I’m sure students will connect with the stories. Would love to win a set!!

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  252. Wowza! Just love it that Stella gets to be the leader in showing students how to get “there” with their writing. Their aren’t many books that are “helpful” to students and that actually guide students. What a great tool for children to be able to also refer back to during the whole writing process. Way to go, STELLAAAAA!

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  255. These books will fit right in to my 2nd grade curriculum. My students will love connecting with Stella as they learn the different types of writing. Thanks for the chance to win this set of books.

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  256. Wow! This looks like a great addition to my classroom Library. I teach Middle School ESOL students and writing is always a challenge. This would give me a great format to show them these four different kinds of writing.

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  257. These would be a great addition to my writing mentor texts! Writing is my area of focus, so any help is always encouraged! Thanks for doing this!

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  258. These definitely sound like books I would like to check out! I’m interested in seeing the multiple ways you can use the story.

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  263. I am dying to read these books. They sound perfect to use as mentor texts. Mentor texts are such powerful teaching tools.

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  264. Wow-what a great idea. We have mentor texts and curriculums and books about teaching writing and genres and now this series about a child doing the work of a writer and exploring different genres. So clever. Can’t wait to see these!

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  266. As the father of an emerging reader and middle level teacher, the concept of using picture books and narrative writing is intriguing. Thanks for publishing this post.

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  267. The Stella book series seems as if it will be a powerful way to engage, inspire, and support my young writers. I especially appreciate the resources and suggestions on the SDE book page. Thanks for the opportunity to win a set!

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      1. Nice, these books sound like a perfect resource for teaching the writing genres. It is a perfect tool to engage all learners but especially our EL’s. Thanks for the opportunity to win! 🙂

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      2. Nice, these books sound like a perfect resource for teaching the writing genres. It is a perfect tool to engage all learners but especially our EL’s.
        Thanks for the opportunity to win! 🙂

        Like

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