Lisa Renea Shaw

Helping students become confident, flexible writers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, one of the most effective strategies is also one of the simplest: give students a single topic and invite them to write about it in all four text modes —narrative, informative, opinion, and procedural/expository. This approach, which I call Mode Mini-Writing , helps students: Understand how purpose shapes structure Practice switching between writing styles Prepare for standardized assessments like the Georgia Milestones , which evaluate writing across multiple genres It’s also a wonderful way for families to write together at home. Let’s explore how it works, with two engaging topics and ready-to-use prompts. 🌧️ Topic 1: Rainy Days This cozy, relatable topic invites creativity and builds writing stamina. Here’s how students can explore it in each mode: 🟣 Narrative Mode: Tell a Story “Tell about a time you got caught in the rain. What happened?” “Write a story about a rainy day adventure with...

Strong writers are intentional writers. They understand that every text has a purpose, and that purpose shapes how the text is written. One of the most powerful ways we can support our students’ growth as readers and writers is by helping them recognize and use the four primary text modes : narrative, informative, opinion, and procedural. Let’s explore each mode, then dive into best practices for teaching them, and wrap up with a bilingual worksheet to help your students begin classifying texts with confidence. The Four Text Modes: Purpose Drives Structure Here’s a quick breakdown of the four foundational modes of writing: Text Mode Purpose Key Features Narrative To tell a story or recount events Characters, setting, sequence of events, dialogue, descriptive language Informative To teach or explain something Facts, definitions, examples, topic sentences, clear organization Opinion To share a viewpoint and support it Stated opinion, reasons, evidence, persuasive language Procedural/Expo...

In our recent family writing workshop, something magical happened: parents and children became co-authors. They laughed, imagined, revised, and celebrated their stories together. This wasn’t just about writing, it was about connection, creativity, and confidence. And the best part? You can bring this magic home. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or community literacy advocate, writing with children is one of the most powerful ways to nurture their voice. Here's how to create a joyful co-authorship experience at home, inspired by our workshop model: Start with Story Seeds Imagination blooms when you plant the right seeds. Begin by brainstorming story ideas together using silly, wacky prompts. Try: “What if your pet could talk for one day?” “Imagine a world where everyone has wings.” “Write about a sandwich that saves the day.” Let your child lead the way. These playful prompts spark creativity and build confidence in their ideas. Teach the Building Blocks of Storytelling Befor...