Kids love to be the expert on things—whether it’s tying their shoes, making a sandwich, or building the perfect block tower. That’s why how-to writing in kindergarten is such a fun and meaningful way to get them excited about writing! In this post, I’ll share simple strategies for teaching how-to books, along with engaging activities to help your students organize their ideas and write clear step-by-step directions.
*Be sure to also read my favorite mentor texts for your how-to writing unit.
Here are some fun ways to introduce writing How-to Books
- Give directions out of order. Let the kids see how it just doesn’t work that way! Coming to the carpet, cleaning and lining up, getting ready to go home- any of these familiar routines are a perfect opportunity to show why it’s important to give steps in order.
- Ask your students to give you directions to draw a person. They’ll surely start with a circle for the head, but make sure when they tell you to draw the body, you draw it on top of the head! Draw the mouth above the eyes and both the ears on the same side, unless they explicitly direct you where to put them! Great lesson on being specific and detailed.
- Have partners work together to draw a house: One student gives directions while the other draws. Flip over the paper and switch roles, this time drawing a flower!
- Make pudding, then interactively write the steps. I had 4 groups, each with a bowl, measuring cup, pudding box, whisk and 2 cups of milk.
Brainstorming Topics for Writing How-to Books
“I don’t know how to do anything” might be something you hear in the primary classroom. We know our students can do lots of things (we hear about them all the time! 😏), but they don’t always realize that the everyday things they do- tying shoes, playing a sport, building a tower- make great how-to topics! Help them see they are indeed experts on lots of things!
Make a list of ‘expert’ topics- have kids tell you what they can teach others. If possible, get clipart for each. Whenever a student can’t think of a topic, send them to the list! We made two lists to make sure we have plenty! Be sure to scroll down and grab your FREE anchor chart pieces!
Don’t Skip This Step in Procedural Writing!
Often, kids leave out important steps in their writing.
The trick? Act out the steps and say them before writing!
- Act out and practice orally. Kids love performing. Have them choose and act out topics from your list, using imaginary props.
- Make how-to kits for morning tubs or centers! My kids are loving these. They get to act out the steps before writing their books. Simply place a few props in baggies. I found a few kits at the dollar store, but some kits can be made using things you have lying around! Here are some ideas:
- Use the how-to kits as a morning tub. Have kids work with a partner. One gives directions, the other follows. Having a partner to add any missing steps can help strengthen your students’ skills in this genre.
Bonus tip: Have them say the steps for a partner to act out using the tools. This is always fun and it really helps kids understand the importance of not skipping steps!
**Be sure to read my favorite MENTOR TEXTS for a HOW-TO UNIT**
Resources to help with Writing How-to books
Hands-on How-to Pages
These Hands-on Sequencing pages make it easy for students to act out the steps before they begin writing.
They just cut the pieces, act it out on the page, then write!
There are 3 versions included: 4 steps, 3 steps with picture prompts for each step (see photo below), and a no writing version for younger students. There are 12 different topics in the pack to choose from!
Also included in the pack are teacher cards that are perfect for modeling. These can be laminated and used as a center activity as well.
Wordless Picture Books: How-to Books
If organizing the steps is tricky for your littles, then try these wordless picture books. They already have the pictures for each step and kids just do the writing, using the picture word bank at the beginning of each book.
There are 3 levels to these as well- choose between sentence starters, the first 2 pages completed, or completely blank lines, as pictured below. Check them out here: WORDLESS PICTURE BOOKS for HOW-TO WRITING
Conclusion
Writing how-to books can be fun for little learners, as well as give them a boost of confidence when they realize they are able to teach others plenty of things. Remember to provide opportunities for them to act the steps out, as well as say them, to help them remember and add these details in their writing!
Be sure to read my post on sequencing, as this reading comprehension skill goes well with a how-to writing unit.
If you are looking for more ways to engage your emergent writers, read this post: Tips for Helping Emergent Writers
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