Write Sharp
Teaching Kids to Write the Way Real Writers Write
Hey there, teaching friends! Let’s talk about writing—the way we actually write, not the way most schools teach it. Too often, writing gets boiled down to rigid steps, fill-in-the-blank assignments, and test prep. But that’s not how real writers work!
That’s why I created Write Sharp—a writing framework for Kindergarten through sixth grade that helps kids see themselves as real writers from day one.
At the heart of this approach is one big belief:
☕ Kids learn to write in the primary grades so they can write to learn in the intermediate grades and beyond.
So what does that look like?
In Kindergarten, we keep it simple—drawing, labeling, and using mentor texts to show kids that writing is storytelling.
By first and second grade, they’re building confidence with strong sentences, growing their vocabulary, and experimenting with different types of writing.
By the intermediate grades, they’re learning revision strategies, writing longer pieces, and tackling prompts (without losing their creative spark!).
And all along the way, they’re sharing their work with real audiences—because writing should matter to them, not just to us.
This curriculum is designed to fit into a Writers’ Workshop structure, but the ideas can work in any classroom (or homeschool!). It’s about teaching writing the way writers actually write—drafting, revising, thinking, experimenting, and most importantly, finding joy in the process.
My goal, over the next few months, in this publication / newsletter, is to share this writing framework with you. I will begin at the beginning . . . you jump in at whatever spot feels right for you and the kids you teach.
So grab your coffee and join me in making writing instruction more authentic, engaging, and fun. Because our kids are writers—it’s our job to help them see it!
Happy Writing! Happy Teaching!
Nancy, aka N. L. Sharp