Grade by Grade
D. Composition · Writing Our Ideas

Publishing and Sharing My Writing

D3.1 D3.2 D3.3About 35 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can make a final copy of my writing that is neat and easy to read.
  • I can add pictures, a title and other features to my final copy.
  • I can read my writing aloud with expression.
  • I can say what helped me when I shared my writing.

Words to know

publish
To make a final, neat copy of your writing so others can read it.
final copy
The finished writing, after revising and editing.
expression
Reading with feeling, so your voice matches the words.
author's chair
A special seat where a writer sits to read their writing to others.
presenting
Sharing your work with an audience.

Time to share!

You planned, drafted, revised and edited. Now it is time to publish: make a final copy and share it with an audience!

PlanDraftReviseEditPublishThe writing process
Plan, draft, revise, edit, publish: the steps of the writing process.

Making a final copy

Your final copy should be easy to read and fit your purpose. You can:

  • ✏️ Print neatly, with finger spaces, and fix all your edits.
  • 🏷️ Add a title.
  • 🖍️ Add pictures, a cover, labels, or a border.
  • 📘 Make it into a little book, a card, a poster, or type it on a computer with a grown-up.

Choose what fits: a how-to might have numbered steps and pictures. A card for Grandma might have a heart and your name.

Worked example

Let's plan a final copy

Ava wrote a how-to about making a bird feeder. Her audience is her class. How should she publish it?

  1. Purpose: to teach. So the steps must be clear and in order.
  2. Choose a form: a poster for the class wall.
  3. Add features: a big title, numbered steps, a picture for each step, and a list of materials.
  4. Check: neat printing, capitals, end marks, spaces.

A poster with a title, numbered steps and pictures will help her class follow the steps.

Reading your writing aloud

When you share, use your reading voice:

  • 🔊 Loud enough for everyone to hear.
  • 🐢 Not too fast.
  • 😀 Read with expression: sound excited at an exclamation mark ( ! ), and make your voice go up at a question mark ( ? ).
  • 👀 Look up at your audience sometimes.
  • 🙋 At the end, ask: "Do you have any questions or comments?"
Loud enoughfor all to hearNot too fastRead withexpressionLook up at youraudienceslow and steady!
Four things to remember when you read your writing to an audience.
Worked example

Let's read with expression

Read this sentence two ways: We won the game!

  1. Read it in a flat, bored voice: "We won the game." Does it sound exciting? No.
  2. Look at the end mark: an exclamation mark means strong feeling.
  3. Read it again with excitement and a big smile: "We won the game!"

Reading with expression helps the audience feel what the writer feels.

Think about it

After you share, think: What helped me? Maybe practising first, holding the paper still, pointing to my pictures, or taking a deep breath. Next time, use that strategy again!

Just for fun

Why was the little book so cold?

It forgot to put on its cover! 📘

Hands-on activity

Publishing party

You need: a piece of writing you revised and edited, paper, crayons or markers, a stapler (with help).

  1. Choose how to publish: a little book (fold 2 papers in half and staple), a poster, or a card.
  2. Copy your writing neatly. Add a title, pictures and your name as the author.
  3. Practise reading it aloud 2 times.
  4. Hold a publishing party! Sit in a special "author's chair" and read to your family (or call a relative on the phone or a video call with a grown-up).
  5. Ask your audience for one star ⭐.
  6. Tell your grown-up one thing that helped you share.

Your turn

1

What does publish mean?

2

Name the five steps of the writing process in order.

3

Name two things you can add to a final copy.

4

How should your voice sound at an exclamation mark?

5

What would be a good way to publish a thank-you message for your bus driver?

6

Name one strategy that helps when you read your work to others.

More practice: warm-up

1

What step comes right before publish?

2

What is a final copy?

3

Should you read very fast when you share?

4

Where does the author's name go on a little book?

5

What is the author's chair?

More practice: on your own

1

Why is neat printing important in a final copy?

2

Leo's how-to has steps but no pictures. How could he make it better for his audience of kindergarten kids?

3

Read this with expression: Do you want to see my snowman? What does your voice do at the end?

4

Which would be the best way to publish a recount of your summer trip for your grandparents: a poster, a little book, or a stop sign?

5

Maya felt nervous sharing. She practised 3 times first and it helped. What could she say about her strategy?

Challenge

1

Choose one piece of writing you did in this unit. How would you publish it, and why?

2

What is the difference between a draft and a final copy?

3

Someone in the audience asks a question you don't know the answer to. What could you say?

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

What is the last step of the writing process?

2.

What should a final copy be?

3.

How should you read a sentence that ends with !?

4.

Which is a good way to publish a how-to for your class?

5.

What helps you get ready to read your writing to others?

6.

Which step comes right after draft?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 1 writers produce final texts using simple techniques (neat printing, titles, pictures, formats such as a card, book or poster) chosen to suit the purpose, present their work (including by reading aloud with expression), and name a strategy that helped them present.

How to help at home:

  • Celebrate finished writing: put it on the fridge, read it at dinner, or mail it to a relative.
  • Keep a basket of supplies for making little books and cards.
  • Model reading with expression when you read to your child.
  • With supervision, your child can type a short piece or record themselves reading it.

Common difficulties:

  • Copying the final version introduces new mistakes. Keep final copies short, and let your child dictate part if handwriting is tiring.
  • Shyness when presenting. Start with a small, friendly audience (a stuffed animal, a sibling) and practise first.
  • Reading too fast or too quietly. Practise together with a "turtle voice" (slow) and a "lion voice" (loud).