Teaching 4th and 5th grade writing is hard.
These free tools can help.
Whether you're teaching writing for the first time or you've been at it for years and still find yourself thinking, “There has to be a better way,” this toolkit is for you.
But it is a set of classroom-tested tools and resources designed to make writing time feel more manageable - for you and your students.
This collection was designed to support the parts of writing instruction that actually feel hard. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking the things below, you’re in the right place.
“I don’t know where to start or what to prioritize.”
The Reality: Writing instruction feels like trying to build a house without a blueprint. You know the pieces matter, but where do you even begin?
You’ll Get: My Writing Pacing Guide — a realistic, flexible framework that helps you lay out your writing block across the year without losing your mind or your Sundays.
“Writing time feels chaotic.”
The Reality: You say “Let’s write,” and suddenly everyone’s asking, “Where’s the paper?” “What do I do when I’m done?” “Wait, are we revising or editing?”
You’ll Get: My Writing Procedures List — a clear, ready-to-use list of writing routines that help you set expectations upfront and keep writing time from spiraling.
“My students rely on me for everything.”
The Reality: You’ve taught the skill. You’ve modeled it twice. You even made a chart. And yet - here come the same five questions. Again.
You’ll Get: My Writing Toolkits (Charts & Printables) — student-friendly reference charts they can actually use during independent writing, small groups, or conferences.
“They’re still learning what I mean by ‘revise.’ When the test says ‘elaborate using relevant details,’ it’s game over.”
The Reality: If students don’t know what a "hook" is (outside of Peter Pan), they’re not adding one to their intro paragraph.
You’ll Get: My Writing Vocabulary Posters — simple, student-friendly definitions for key writing terms you can refer to during your lessons, mini-lessons, and conferences. That way when the prompt says “add elaboration” or “use a transition,” your students actually know what that means.
“They’re disengaged and don’t want to write.”
The Reality: Some students shut down the moment you say “open your notebook.” Not because they can’t write, but because they don’t care about the topic. (Or worse, they’ve written about it 12 times already.)
You’ll Get: My Genre-Based Writing Choice Boards — 105 purposeful prompts across narrative, opinion, and informational writing that give students choice without turning your writing block into chaos.
“I want to show their growth, but all I have is a score.”
The Reality: The state test doesn’t capture how far they’ve come, and your stack of wrinkled drafts isn’t exactly parent-conference-ready.
You’ll Get: My Writing Portfolio Toolkit — a simple system to collect, organize, and celebrate student writing across the year. It’s one part reflection tool, one part “Look how far I’ve come” moment.
When You Sign Up, You’ll Get Instant Access To:
✅ A flexible pacing guide to map out your writing instruction
✅ A list of writing routines and expectations to keep things running smoothly
✅ Student-facing reference charts to support independence
✅ Writing vocabulary definitions you can actually use
✅ Choice-based prompts across multiple genres
✅ A portfolio system to help you and your students track growth over time
P.S. Oh hey, did we just meet?
In case we haven’t officially met yet, I’m Jennifer Findley—the blogger behind JenniferFindley.com and the creator of the All-Access Memberships. Right now, I’m taking a break from the classroom to raise my toddler, college student, and adult special needs son. I know what it’s like to juggle high expectations from admin, rigorous curriculum standards, and the need for engagement that actually works.
I’ve used these strategies with success all the way from 2nd grade to 7th grade, and I can’t wait to help you do the same. Let’s bring some fun (and sanity) back into your classroom!
