Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

WRITING HANDBOOK ▪ GRADE 1

How to Use This Book

Purposes for Writing

The Writing Process
The Writing Traits

Writing Forms Narrative Writing

Lesson 1: Labels
Lesson 2: Captions
Lesson 3: Sentences
Lesson 4: Class Story
Lesson 5: Class Story
Informative Writing
Lesson 6: Sentences That Describe
Lesson 7: Poetry
Lesson 8: Thank-You Note
Lesson 9: Description: Prewriting
Lesson 10: Description:
Drafting/Revising
Informative Writing
Lesson 11: Sentences That Inform
Lesson 12: Instructions
Lesson 13: Sentences That Inform
Lesson 14: Report: Prewriting
Lesson 15: Report: Drafting/Revising
Narrative Writing
Lesson 16: Sentences About Yourself
Lesson 17: Sentences About Yourself
Lesson 18: Friendly Letter
Lesson 19: Personal Narrative:
Prewriting
Lesson 20: Personal Narrative:
Drafting/Revising

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 WRITING HANDBOOK ▪ GRADE 1

Narrative Writing
Lesson 21: Story Sentences
Lesson 22: Story Sentences
Lesson 23: Story Summary
Lesson 24: Story: Prewriting
Lesson 25: Story: Drafting/Revising
Opinion Writing
Lesson 26: Opinion Sentences
Lesson 27: Opinion Sentences
Lesson 28: Opinion Sentences
Lesson 29: Opinion Paragraph:
Prewriting
Lesson 30: Opinion Paragraph:
Drafting/Revising

Writing Strategies The Writing Process

Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing
Writing Traits
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Elaboration
Development
Conventions
Technology Using the Computer

Research How to Do Research

Evaluation Checklists and Rubrics
Index

Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

 INTRODUCTION

This handbook will help

you write. It will give you
ideas. It will also help you
share your ideas.

6 • Grade 1

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 First, you will read about
how to write. Then you will
practice writing. Have fun
using this book!

How to Use This Book • 7

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 INTRODUCTION

Before you write, think

about why you are writing.
This is your purpose.
To Inform
Tell facts. Share what you have learned
about a topic.

To Explain
Tell how to do something or how
something works.

To Narrate
Share a story. It can be something that
really happened or made-up.

To Persuade
Tell your opinion. Give reasons why
others should agree with you.

8 • Grade 1

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 Understanding Task, Audience,
and Purpose (TAP)
Your audience is who you write for. Are
you writing to a friend or a teacher?
Your task is what you write. Do you
want to write a story or a report?
You can call your task, audience, and
purpose your TAP.

Think:

Task: What am I writing?

Audience: Who am I writing for?
Purpose: Why am I writing?

Purposes for Writing • 9

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 INTRODUCTION

After you think about

your TAP, use these five
stages to write.

10 • Grade 1

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 Make a list of ideas to
write about. Draw a
Prewriting
picture or make a chart
of the idea you choose.
Write sentences about
your prewriting idea.
Drafting
Do not worry about
making a mistake.

Meet with a partner and

talk about your draft.
Revising
How can you make it
better?

Reread or read aloud

Editing your revised draft. Fix
any mistakes you find.

Think about how you

Publishing
want to share your work.

The Writing Process • 11

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 INTRODUCTION

All good writing has six

traits. These are things that
make your writing strong.

Conventions

Evidence Elaboration

The Traits
of Good
Writing

Purpose Organization

Development

12 • Grade 1

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 Traits Checklist
When you write, ask these questions.

Evidence Do I have enough

details and examples?
Organization Are my words and
sentences in an order
that makes sense?
Purpose Is my reason for
writing clear?
Elaboration Did I choose the
best words?
Development Did I tell a good story?
Conventions Are my spelling,
grammar,
capitalization, and
punctuation correct?

The Writing Traits • 13

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 WRITING FORMS

A label names an object. It tells what

something is or what it looks like.

Parts of a Label
A label can be one word such as
chair or book.
A label can be more than one word
such as red chair or big book.

book

shelf

mat

14 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

2 Draw a picture.
Label three objects in it.

Labels • 15

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 WRITING FORMS

A caption tells about a picture.

Parts of a Caption
A few words or a sentence
about a picture
Details about what a picture shows

Here is a bench at the park.

16 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 The family

2 Use your plan. Write a caption. You can

write about a place to visit with your
family.

Captions • 17

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 WRITING FORMS

A sentence gives information. It is a

group of words that tells who or what
does something.

Parts of a Sentence
A sentence starts with a capital
letter.
A sentence ends with an end mark.

We play outside.
Jay and Anne run fast.

Pat rides a bike.

18 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 The girl

2 The boy

3 Use your plan. Write a sentence.

Tell what you do at school.

Sentences • 19

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 WRITING FORMS

A class story is a story we write as a

class. It can tell about something that
really happened. It can describe people
and things.

Parts of a Class Story

Events that are told in
complete sentences
Sentences that include interesting
details

The Hike
Our class went for a hike. We climbed
up a tall hill. We could see a big lake.
The hike made us tired. But we had fun
anyway.

20 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Our class went to the market.

We

We also

We

2 Think of a detail you could add to the

class story. Write a sentence about it.

Class Story • 21

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 WRITING FORMS

A class story is written together by the

class and the teacher.

Parts of a Class Story

Sentences that tell events in
time order
Words that describe
An ending to the story

Our class went to visit a farm. First,

we saw five cows. Next, we got to feed
the red hens. Last, we all went for a
ride in a big wagon. We had a fun day
at the farm.

22 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Our class went to the zoo.

First,

Then

Later,

2 Think of another event you could add to

the class story. Write a sentence about it.

Class Story • 23

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 WRITING FORMS

Sentences that describe work together

to tell how something looks, sounds,
smells, tastes, or feels. Describing words
are called adjectives.

Parts of Sentences That Describe

Details that tell how something
looks, sounds, smells, tastes,
or feels
Sentences that tell about just one
thing

The Woods
The leaves are soft and green.
The trees feel very bumpy.

I hear loud buzzing.

The air smells fresh.

24 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 The buildings

The streets

The people

2 Use your plan. Write sentences that

describe. You can tell about a place
you like to visit.

Sentences That Describe • 25

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 WRITING FORMS

A poem is a group of words put

together in a special way. A poem can
be about a thing or a feeling.

Parts of a Poem
Interesting words about the topic
Some words that may rhyme

The Cat

I would like to see a cat

with black stripes in its fur.

I would like to pet the cat

to hear its low, soft purr.

26 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 I would like to see

I would like to

2 Use your plan. Write a poem. You can

write about a favorite animal.

Poetry • 27

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 WRITING FORMS

A thank-you note thanks someone for a

favor or a gift.

Parts of a Thank-You Note

A date, greeting, closing, and
your name
A sentence that tells what you
are thanking someone for
Details that tell your feelings

March 1, 2013
Dear Grandpa,
Thank you for the ant farm. It is a great
gift! I like to see the ants work. They are so
busy.
Love,
Eli

28 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

Dear ,

Thank you for

I like

Your friend,

2 Write a thank-you note to a friend or

family member.

Thank-You Note • 29

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 WRITING FORMS

A description can tell how something

looks. The writer helps the reader picture
a thing in his or her mind.

Parts of a Description
The topic sentence tells what
the description is about.
Detail sentences use adjectives that
tell size, shape, color, or number.

Tail: Fur:
short soft and black

My Topic:
Sam the rabbit

Eyes: Ears:
brown floppy

30 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

My Topic:

2 Use your plan to write about your

favorite animal.
Description: Prewriting • 31

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 WRITING FORMS

A description is writing that tells how

something looks, sounds, tastes, smells,
and feels.

Parts of a Description
A topic sentence tells what the
description is about.
Descriptive words and other detail
tell more about the topic.

My pet rabbit is named Sam. Sam has

soft, black fur. His eyes are brown. His
ears are floppy. He has a short tail. Sam
is a nice, quiet pet.

32 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 My favorite animal is

It looks

It is .

It has

2 Use your plan to write a description. If

you like, write about a pet you have or
would like to have.

Description: Drafting/Revising • 33

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 WRITING FORMS

Sentences that inform work together

to tell facts, or information that is true.
Writers use sentences that inform to
share what they know.

Parts of Sentences That Inform

A topic sentence that tells what
all the sentences are about
Detail sentences that tell facts,
not opinions
Some details that describe how
something happens

Cows
Cows are big animals on farms.
They walk very slowly.
Cows lie quietly in the grass.

They flick their tails quickly to push

away flies.

34 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 A horse

It can

It

2 Use your plan. Write sentences that

inform. You can write about the animal
you chose.

Sentences That Inform • 35

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 WRITING FORMS

Instructions tell how to do or make

something.
Parts of Instructions
Things you need
Steps to follow in order
Time-order words such as first
and next

Making a Drum

Here is how to make a drum. First, get

an empty can. Next, lay paper over the
top. Then put a rubber band around the
can and the paper. Last, get two sticks
and play.

36 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Here is how to .

First,

Next,

Last,

2 Write instructions. Tell a friend how to make

an art project.
Instructions • 37

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 WRITING FORMS

Sentences that inform tell facts about

the world. Facts are things that are true.

Parts of Sentences That Inform

A topic sentence tells what all of
the sentences are about.
Detail sentences tell facts, not
opinions.
All of the sentences are about
one main idea.

All About Trees

Trees are big plants.
Leaves grow on trees.

There are lots of trees in the forest.

Birds build their nests in trees.

38 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Ducks are

A duck can

Ducks

2 Use your plan. Write sentences that

inform. You can write about a season
you like.

Sentences That Inform • 39

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 WRITING FORMS

A report tells facts about a topic. When

people write reports, they can find the
facts they need in books.

Parts of a Report
The topic sentence tells what the
report is about.
Detail sentences give facts
about the topic.
Writers do research to find facts
about a topic.

My Question:
What can ants do?

Fact 1:
very busy

Fact 2:
build large nests

Fact 3:
carry food in teams

40 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1
My Question:

Fact 1:

Fact 2:

Fact 3:

2 Use your plan to write about an animal

you know about.
Report: Prewriting • 41

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 WRITING FORMS

A report gives facts about a topic. You

write the facts in your own words.

Parts of a Report
A topic sentence tells what the
report is about.
Detail sentences tell the facts.
A closing ties ideas together.

Ants

Ants are busy little animals. One thing

ants do is build large nests. Another
thing they do is carry food in teams.
Ants work like this all over the world!

42 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1
are animals

that .

One thing

Another thing

2 Use your plan. Write a report. Tell about

an animal you know about.

Report: Drafting/Revising • 43

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 WRITING FORMS

A sentence about yourself tells

a true story about you. It uses the words
I or me.

Parts of a Sentence About

Yourself
A topic sentence tells the
main idea.
Detail sentences tell what
happened.
Some details tell who or what.

At the Lake

I went swimming at the lake last

week.
The water was freezing cold!
Mom wrapped me in a warm towel
when I got out.

44 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 I went

It was

2 Use your plan. Write sentences about

yourself. If you like, write about nature.

Sentences About Yourself • 45

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 WRITING FORMS

A sentence about yourself tells about

something real that happened to you.
It has the words I, me, or we.

Parts of a Sentence About

Yourself
A topic sentence tells what all
the sentences will be about.
Detail sentences tell what
happened and in what order.
Details may tell where or when
things happened.

My Cousins

Yesterday I went to my cousin’s house.

First, we put on a puppet show.

After that, we played football in the

park.

46 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 My family

First, we

Later,

2 Use your plan. Write sentences about

yourself. You can write about something
you like to do.

Sentences About Yourself • 47

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 WRITING FORMS

A friendly letter is written to another

person.

Parts of a Letter
The date
A greeting to the person the
letter is for
A body that tells what you
want to say
A closing and your name

April 19, 2012

Dear Ben,
I am at camp. I just made a drum.
I made it from a tin can.
Your pal,
Jon

48 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

Dear ,

Your friend,

2 Use your plan, or make a new one.

Write a letter about a trip.

Friendly Letter • 49

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 WRITING FORMS

A personal narrative tells a true story

about the author. It uses the words I or
me.

Parts of a Personal Narrative

It tells events in the order they
happened.
It uses time order words like
first, next, soon, and later.

First:
sat near stage

Next:
the star came on

Last:
happy, clapping

50 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1
First:

Next:

Last:

2 Use your plan to write about

a place you went.

Personal Narrative: Prewriting • 51

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 WRITING FORMS

A personal narrative is a true story

about something you did.

Parts of a Personal Narrative

Sentences tell what you did in
time order.
Sentences use words like I, me,
or we.
An ending ties ideas together.

My family went to a play. First, we sat

down close to the stage. Then the star
of the show walked on stage. He wore a
big red hat. He sang many funny songs.
At the end, we felt happy. We stood
and clapped.

52 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 I went on a fun trip to

First,

Then

At the end,

2 Use your plan. Write a personal

narrative. If you like, write what you did
with your family.
Personal Narrative: Drafting/Revising • 53

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 WRITING FORMS

Story sentences show us how characters

think and feel. Dialogue can tell the
exact words characters say.

Parts of Dialogue Story Sentences

They tell the exact words that
the characters say.
The characters are make-believe.
Quotation marks tell where the
characters start and stop talking

Here Comes the Train!

Zoe looked along the train tracks.

“I see the train!” she said.

The train slid to a stop at the station.

“We’re going for a train ride!”

Zoe’s brother Sam shouted.

54 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Allie and Jane

“Look at

,” said Allie.

“It is ,” said Jane.

2 Use your plan. Write story sentences.

If you like, write about the book you
read.

Story Sentences • 55

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 WRITING FORMS

Story sentences tell what make-believe

characters say and do.

Parts of Story Sentences

The characters are make-believe.
Details tell the events in order.
Vivid verbs tell what the
characters do.

The Geese
Two geese were swimming in the river.

Then they spotted some bread crumbs

in the water.
The geese swallowed the crumbs.
After that, they paddled home and fell
asleep.

56 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 Some

First,

Then

2 Use your plan. Write story

sentences. You can write about
your favorite animal.

Story Sentences • 57

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 WRITING FORMS

A story summary tells what happens in

a story. You write the summary in your
own words.

Parts of a Story Summary

Sentences tell the parts of a
story in the order they happen.
Sentences tell only the most
important parts.

Whistle for Willie

First, Peter wanted to whistle. Next,

he tried hard, but no whistle came out.
At last, Peter tried again and he
whistled!

58 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

First,

Next,

At last,

2 Use your plan, or make a new one.

Write a summary about a story you like.
Story Summary • 59

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 WRITING FORMS

A story tells something that is made-up.

It comes from the author’s imagination.

Parts of a Story
The beginning introduces the characters.
The middle tells about a problem.
The end tells how the characters
solve the problem.

Characters Setting
2 girls
Jane and Meg school
Plot

Beginning:
new watch
bring it to school
Middle:
watch gets lost (problem)
girls look for it
End:
found in book bag

60 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1
Characters Setting

Plot
Beginning:

Middle:

End:

2 Use your plan to write a new story.

Story: Prewriting • 61

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 WRITING FORMS

A story tells what happens to the

characters in it.

Parts of a Story
A title
Sentences that tell what happens
at the beginning, in the middle,
and at the end
A problem that the characters
solve

Jane’s New Watch

Jane got a new watch. First, she wore

it to school. Then she lost the watch.
Jane asked her friend Meg to help. At
last, Jane and Meg found the watch. It
was in Jane’s book bag!

62 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

First,

Then

At last, .

2 Use your plan. Write a new story.

Story: Drafting/Revising • 63

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 WRITING FORMS

Opinion sentences tell something you

believe. They can show your strong
feelings about a topic.

Parts of Opinion Sentences

The topic sentence tells your opinion,
or what you think.
Detail sentences tell the reasons
for your opinion.
An exclamation shows that you
feel strongly about something.

Basketball
Basketball is my favorite sport!

You have to run fast and play hard in

a basketball game.
It feels great when you score some
points for your team!

64 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 My favorite

I like .

It is great when

2 Use your plan. Write opinion sentences.

You can write about your favorite thing
to do.

Opinion Sentences • 65

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 WRITING FORMS

Opinion sentences tell something you

think. You can use the word because to
explain your reasons.

Parts of Opinion Sentences

The topic sentence gives your
opinion, or what you believe.
Detail sentences tell the reasons
for your opinion.
The word because tells that you
are about to give a reason.

My Garden

I love spending time in my garden!

It is fun because I get to dig lots of
holes.

It also feels good to help the plants

get bigger.

66 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 I like

It is fun

I also like .

2 Use your plan. Write opinion sentences.

Write about something you learned how
to do.

Opinion Sentences • 67

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 WRITING FORMS

Opinion sentences tell what you believe.

They give reasons why you have that
opinion.

Parts of Opinion Sentences

The topic sentence tells your
opinion, or what you think.
Detail sentences tell the reasons
for your opinion.
Exact words make the ideas
clear.

At the Circus

We saw the best circus ever!

One funny part was when a lot of
clowns hopped out of a tiny car.

I loved the dancer’s blue dress

because it was so sparkly.

68 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 The zoo

I saw

The

2 Use your plan. Write opinion sentences.

If you like, you can write about the story
you read.

Opinion Sentences • 69

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 WRITING FORMS

An opinion paragraph is a group of

sentences about one feeling or belief.

Parts of an Opinion Paragraph

The topic sentence tells your opinion,
or what you think.
Detail sentences give reasons
and examples.
The closing sentence retells your
opinion using different words.

My Opinion:
Best class = art class

First reason:
fun
Example:
mixing colors

Second reason:
use imagination
Example:
painting pictures

70 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1
My Opinion:

Reason:

Example:

Reason:

Example:

2 Use your plan to write about

an opinion you have.
Opinion Paragraph: Prewriting • 71

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 WRITING FORMS

An opinion paragraph tells something

that you believe.

Parts of an Opinion Paragraph

A topic sentence gives your opinion.
Detail sentences give reasons for
your opinion.
A closing ties ideas together.

I think that art class is the best!

One reason is that it is fun to mix
colors. Another reason is that I can use
my imagination to paint pictures. I always
learn a lot in art class.

72 • Grade 1

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 Name

Follow your teacher’s directions.

1 I think

One reason is

Another reason is

2 Use your plan. Write sentences to tell

your opinion.

Opinion Paragraph: Drafting/Revising • 73

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ THE WRITING PROCESS

The five stages of writing are prewriting,

drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
This lesson tells about prewriting.

Parts of Prewriting
List ideas to write about.
Choose the idea you like best.
Fill in a word web.

Ideas
my trip to the zoo
letter to Grandma
poem about a whale

ball from Grandma

kick it throw it lots of fun

74 ▪ Grade 1

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 There are more organizers you can use to
help fill out your ideas. Use them to plan
your writing.

Flow Chart

Went to see elephants

Next, to ape house

Ended at petting zoo

Venn Diagram to
Compare and Contrast

Whales Elephant
Both
live in mammals live on
the sea the land
weigh
over a
ton

Prewriting • 75

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪THE WRITING PROCESS

When you draft, you use full sentences to

write what you planned.

Parts of Drafting
Look at the ideas in your word web.
Write about these ideas.
Use full sentences.

ball from Grandma

kick it throw it lots of fun

October 12, 2012

Dear Grandma,

Thank you for the ball.

I can throw it.
Love,
Jenny

76 • Grade 1

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 Here is how Ben used his plan. He wrote
sentences about a book from his friend
Allie.

new book from Allie

about a lots of
funny
mouse pictures

Allie gave me a book.

The book is about a mouse.

It has lots of pictures.

I think it is very funny.

Drafting • 77

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ THE WRITING PROCESS

When you revise, you change your writing

to make it better.

Parts of Revising
Read your writing. Share it with
a partner. Editor’s Marks
Ask if your writing is clear. Insert.
Make your writing better. Delete.
Use editor’s marks. Make a
period.

October 12, 2012

Dear Grandma,
soccer
Thank you for the ball.
It is fun to throw it and kick it with my
I can throw it. friends.
Love,
Jenny

78 • Grade 1

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 Here is how Ben revised his writing.

First, he read his draft to a friend.

Next, he listened. His friend asked
questions.
Last, Ben changed his writing. He changed
words and sentences.

new
Allie gave me a book.

The book is about a mouse.

funny
It has lots of pictures.
I laughed a lot.
I think it is very funny.

Revising • 79

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ THE WRITING PROCESS

When you edit, you fix mistakes in

your writing.

Parts of Editing
Make sure your spelling is correct.
Check that your sentences have end
marks.
Put capital letters where
they belong.

March 15, 2012

Dear Arlo,
T
thank you for the baseball bat
I far
i can hit very for with it.
size
It is a good sise for me.
Your friend,
Peter

80 • Grade 1

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 When you publish your writing, you share
it. You make it look as good as you can.

Parts of Publishing
Make a clean copy.
Maybe draw a picture or use
computer art to go with it.
Share your work.

Dear Grandma,
Thank you for the soccer ball.
It is fun to throw it and kick it with my
friends.
Love,
Jenny

Editing and Publishing • 81

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ WRITING TRAITS

Before you write, think of ideas.

Ideas
Think about what you will write.
Draw pictures, write lists, or make
webs.

Informative Writing
Think of topics for a report. Make
a list of details about your topic.

Hermit Crabs

live in shells they find

ten legs

eat plants

good pets

82 • Grade 1

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 Informative Writing
Think of how to do something. Write words
about the steps in order.

Bathing a Dog

1. Fill a bathtub with water.

2. With an adult, put the dog in the tub.

3. Wet the dog’s fur.

4. Wash the dog’s fur with shampoo.

5. Take the dog out of the tub, and dry its fur.

Persuasive Writing
Think of an opinion. Make a list of reasons.

Eat More Vegetables!

1. vitamins

2. help you grow strong

3. taste good

Evidence • 83

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ WRITING TRAITS

Organization is when you put your ideas in

order.

Organization
Think of a good beginning.
Make a plan.
Put your ideas in order.

Narrative Writing
Tell about something that happened
to you. Put your ideas in the order
they happened.

Our class went to the fire station.

We sat in the fire truck.

We put on boots and helmets.

84 • Grade 1

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 Informative Writing
Write a topic sentence. Write facts about
the topic.

The sun is the center of the solar system.

It is close to the Earth.

It keeps us warm.

All the planets turn around the sun.

Persuasive Writing
Tell your opinion. List your reasons. One way
is to put the most important reason last.

Baseball is the best sport.

Games are very exciting.

It is a fun sport to play and a fun sport to

watch.

My favorite part is hitting a home run.

Organization • 85

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ WRITING TRAITS

Purpose is your reason for writing. You can

write to tell a story, to inform, to explain,
or to persuade.

Purpose
Think about why you are writing.
Carefully choose words.
Grab your reader’s attention at the
beginning.
End your writing in an
interesting way.

Juicy oranges are my favorite fruit.

They make me think of sunshine.

I love to eat oranges in the summer.

The sticky juice drips all over my fingers.

That’s why you should like juicy

oranges, too!

86 • Grade 1

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 When you write, think about the words
you use.

Word Choice
Use exact words.
Use words that describe. Help make
a picture in the reader’s mind.

I share a warm pie with my friends.

We cut it into six pieces.

The pie has a tasty crust.

It has sweet apples inside.

Purpose and Elaboration • 87

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ WRITING TRAIT S

When you write a story, add details that

tell about the characters, setting, and the
events.

Development
Choose words that help readers
picture where the story takes place.
Add details that give information
about who the story is about.
Keep readers interested in what is
happening in the story by adding
intersting details.

It was a dark, stormy night. Jimmy and

his mom were home alone watching a
movie. Then there was a loud clap of
thunder. Everything in the house shook.
The lights went out. In a flash, Jimmy was
in his mom’s arms.

88 • Grade 1

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 Make every sentence in your story count.
Add time-order words.
Make your sentences fun to read.
Use statements and questions.

Jimmy wondered if his mom was as

scared as he was. One glance at her face
told him she was. What were they going to
do? First his mom told Jimmy to be brave.
As they went to get a flashlight, the lights
came back on. It was still rainy and very
windy outside. Inside Jimmy and his mom
were once again cozy!

Development • 89

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ WRITING TRAIT S

After you write, check for mistakes.

Conventions
Check for spelling.
Check for capital letters.
Check for correct end marks.

Dear Megan,
ice Have
I went to the ise rink. have you

ever been there? You can skate and do

spins

Your friend,
Susana

90 • Grade 1

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 Singular and Plural Nouns
A singular noun names one. A plural noun
names more than one and ends in an s.
Wrong Way Right Way
We put everything in box. We put everything in
boxes.

Complete Sentences
A complete sentence begins with a capital
letter and ends with a period.
Wrong Way Right Way
one day he ran a race One day he ran a race.

Correct Use of I and me

I is always in the subject of a sentence.
Wrong Way Right Way
Erin and me went home. Erin and I went home.

Describing Words with er and est

Some describing words tell how things are
different.
Wrong Way Right Way
A baseball is small than A baseball is smaller
a basketball. than a basketball.
Conventions • 91

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ TECHNOLOGY

Use a computer to find information about

your topic on the Internet.

Using the Computer

Go to a web page that has
information about your topic.
Take notes to help you remember.

File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

Address http://www.---.org

HOME
Polar bears live in a cold place called the
CONTACT Arctic. They have thick white fur that keeps
ABOUT US them warm. They are good swimmers.
NEWS

Polar bears

• live in the Arctic

• have thick white fur

• good at swimming

92 • Grade 1

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 Here is another example.

File Edit View Favorites Tools Help

Address http://www.---.com
Rabbits
Rabbits are small animals. Their
tails are short and their ears
are long. Rabbits usually live in
holes. They eat twigs and grass.
Sometimes they eat vegetables
from people’s gardens!

Rabbits

• short tails, long ears

• live in holes

• eat twigs, grass, and vegetables

Using the Computer • 93

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪RESEARCH

When you research you find facts for your

writing. One place to find facts is in a book.

Parts of a Book
The cover of a book shows the title,
or name of the book.
It shows the author, or the person
who wrote the book.
It also shows the illustrator, or
person who made the pictures.

Cover

Title Whale Facts

Author by: Marcus Shaw
pictures by: Alex Camp
Illustrator

94 • Grade 1

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 Table of Contents
This page shows page numbers where you
can find information in a book.

Contents
3 Kinds of Whales
16 Where Whales Live
28 What Whales Eat

Index
These pages show topics and page
numbers. The topics are shown in
ABC order.

Index
A C
Atlantic Ocean, 8, 19 Caribbean Sea, 17
Coral reef, 20, 26

B D
Baleen, 3, 5, 8–12 Dangers, 19, 23
Beluga whale, 4, 27 Diet, 28, 30
Blue whale, 5, 23 Dolphins, 8, 10

How to Do Research • 95

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 WRITING STRATEGIES ▪ Evaluation

Use this list to check your writing. Make

sure you have done everything on the list.

How to Use a Checklist

Read the checklist.
Check your writing.
After you check, fi x your writing.
After you fi x, go back and check the
list. Make sure you fi xed all mistakes

√ My writing is on topic.

√ My writing has facts or details.

√ My writing has a beginning and an ending.

√ Ideas are in order.

√ Words are spelled correctly.

√ Sentences and names start with

capital letters.
√ Sentences have correct end marks.

96 • Grade 1

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 How-to Writing, 36
Humorous (tone), 86
Audience, 8

Ideas from Books and Peers, 82

Beginning, Middle, End 84
Informative/Explanatory Writing
Body, 84
Description, 30, 32
Instructions, 36
Poetry, 26
Capitalization, 90
Report, 40, 42
Captions, 16
Sentences That Describe, 24
Checklists and Rubrics, 96
Sentences That Inform, 34, 38
Class Story, 20, 22
Thank-You Note, 28
Common Errors in Writing, See Conventions Instructions, 36
Computer, Using the, 92
Introductions, 84
Conclusions, 84
Conventions, 90
Labels, 14
Letter, See Friendly Letter
Description, 30, 32
Development, 88
Drafting, 76
Main Idea, 38
Drafting/Revising, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72

Narrative Writing
Editing, 80 Captions, 16
Elaboration, 87
Class Story, 20, 22
Email, See Computer Friendly Letter, 48
End Punctuation, 90 Labels, 14
Endings, 84 Personal Narrative, 50, 52
Evaluation, 96 Sentences, 18, 44, 46
Evidence, 82 Story, 60, 62
Story Sentences, 54, 56, 58

Friendly Letter, 48 O
Opinion Writing
Opinion Sentences, 64, 66, 68
Grammar, Punctuation, and Usage, See
Opinion Paragraph, 70, 72
Conventions
Organization, 84
Graphic Organizers, See Prewriting

Paragraph, 70, 72
How to do Research, 94 Peer Review, See Writing Process
How to Use This Book, 6

Index • 97

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 Personal Narrative, 50, 52 Sentences That Describe, 24
Poetry, 26 Sentences That Inform, 34, 38
Presentation, See Publishing Story, 60, 62
Prewriting, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 74 Story Sentences, 54, 56, 58
Proofreading, See Revising Thank-You Note, 28
Publishing, 81 Writing Process
Purposes for Writing, 8, 86 Drafting, 76
Editing, 80
Prewriting, 74
Report, 40, 42 Publishing, 81
Research, 94 Revising, 78
Revising, 78 Writing Strategies, See Writing Process and
Rubrics, 96 Writing Traits
Writing Traits
Conventions, 90
Sentences, 18, 24, 38, 44, 46 Development, 88
Sequence, See Narrative Writing Elaboration, 87
Spelling, See Conventions Evidence, 82
Story, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 Organization, 84
Purpose, 86

TAP: Task, Audience, and Purpose, See Purposes

for Writing
Technology, 92
Thank-You Note, 28
The Writing Process, 10
The Writing Traits, 12
Topic Sentences, 88

Writing Forms
Captions, 16
Class Story, 20, 22
Description, 30, 32
Friendly Letter, 48
Instructions, 36
Labels, 14
Opinion Paragraph, 70, 72
Opinion Sentences, 64, 66, 68
Personal Narrative, 50, 52
Poetry, 26
Report, 40, 42
Sentences, 18, 44, 46

98 • Grade 1

Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company