The goal of any good writing instruction should be actual writing.
I watched a strong lesson on figurative language last week. Students were able to easily identify several examples of alliteration, onomatopoeia, and similes. The obvious question, however, was how all of it carried over into students’ actual writing.
Any good writing instruction ultimately impacts actual writing. What kids learn about good writing needs to show up in their writing.
The only way to see if they’ve learned what we’ve taught them about writing is actual writing.
So, as always, let them write.