Golden Hills School's Writing Goals

Written by Armaghan Mirhaj

Golden Hills School's writing goals are posted below.

To see a copy of our complete writing curriculum, please feel free to stop by the front office.

Writing Goals by Grade

The writing goals for each grade level were developed in conjunction with national writing standards. These are year-end goals that each class works toward throughout the school year through writing lessons, practice, assignments, assessments and formalized papers.

Narrative Writing Goals

Junior Kindergarten Students will be able to write a basic sentence about a narrative or creative topic.

Kindergarten Students will be able to write a 3 sentence narrative story that provides a context within which an action takes place. The narrative will have a beginning, middle and end.

First Grade Students will be able to write a narrative paragraph that provides a context within which an action takes place. The narrative should include supporting details that develop the main idea and explain why the incident is memorable. The narrative paragraph should have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Second Grade Students will be able to write a ¾ page narrative that provides a context within which an action takes place. The narrative should include details which help to develop the plot and explain why the incident is memorable. Narratives should have a clear beginning, developed and organized middle and a definite conclusion.

Third Grade Students will be able to write a 1 page narrative that provides a context within which an action takes place. The narrative includes well-chosen details to develop the plot and provides insight into why the selected incident is memorable. Narratives should have a clear beginning, developed and organized middle and a definite conclusion.

Fourth Grade Students will be able to write a 1 page narrative that provides a context within which an action takes place. The action should be developed using plot structure and some narrative elements such as character, setting and point of view. The narrative includes well-chosen details to develop the plot and provides insight into why the selected incident is memorable. Narrative should have a clear, attention-grabbing introduction, developed and organized middle and a clear conclusion.

Fifth Grade Students will be able to write a 1-2 page narrative that provides a context within which an action takes place. The action should be developed using plot structure and narrative elements such as character, setting and point of view. The narrative includes well-chosen details to develop the plot and provides insight into why the selected incident is memorable. Narratives should have a clear, attention-grabbing introduction, developed and organized middle and a clear conclusion.

Sixth Grade Students will be able to write a 2-3 page narrative that establishes and develops a clear plot, character, setting and point of view. Pieces should include sensory details and concrete language. Students should be able to use dialogue to add to the plot. Details should develop the narrative elements. Narratives should have a clear, attention-grabbing introduction, developed and organized middle and a clear conclusion.

Seventh Grade Students will be able to write a 2-3 page narrative that establishes and develops a clear plot, character, setting and point of view. Pieces should include sensory details and/or figurative language. Students should be able to use a range of narrative devices such as dialogue, suspense, etc. Details should help to develop the narrative elements. Narratives should have a clear, attention-grabbing introduction, developed and organized middle and a clear conclusion.

Eighth Grade Students will be able to write a 3-4 page narrative that establishes and develops a very clear plot, character, setting and point of view. Pieces should include vivid sensory details and figurative language. Students should be able to use a range of narrative devices such as dialogue, suspense, etc. Details should explicitly develop the narrative elements. Narratives should have a clear, attention-grabbing introduction, developed and organized middle and a clear conclusion.

Expository, Persuasive and/or Analytical

Writing Goals

Kindergarten Students will be able to write a minimum of three sentences with a clear beginning, middle and end. Story may include pictures which connect to the topic.

First Grade Students will be able to write a single paragraph with a topic sentence, detail sentences and a concluding sentence. Topic and focus are clear.

Second Grade Students will be able to write two paragraphs with a clear, coherent and connected focus. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, detail sentences, transitions and concluding sentences.

Third Grade Students will be able to write three paragraphs with a clear, coherent and connected focus. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, detail sentences, transitions and concluding sentences.

Fourth Grade Students will be able to write four paragraphs with a clear, coherent and connected focus. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, detail sentences, transitions and concluding sentences. Students will support their ideas using direct quotations from the text (in-text citations).

Fifth Grade Students will be able to write a basic five paragraph essay with a clear, coherent and connected focus. Essay should have a thesis. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, detail sentences, transitions and concluding sentences. Students will support their ideas using direct quotations from the text (in-text citations). Essays will follow standard MLA format used universally by middle and high schools and by all major universities.

Sixth Grade Students will be able to write a five paragraph essay with emerging analysis showing thoughtful commentary and understanding of the material read. Essays should have a clear, coherent and connected focus driven by the thesis. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, claims, evidence (direct quotations) and some commentary (analysis), transitions and concluding sentences. Essays will follow standard MLA format used universally by middle and high schools and by all major universities.

Seventh Grade Students will be able to write a five paragraph essay which analyzes the text, shows thoughtful and insightful commentary and illustrates what the writer thinks about the material read. Essays should have a clear, coherent and connected focus driven by the thesis. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, commentary (analysis), claims, evidence (direct quotations), transitions and concluding sentences. Essays will follow standard MLA format used universally by middle and high schools and by all major universities.

Eighth Grade Students will be able to write a strong five paragraph essay which clearly, thoroughly and explicitly analyzes the text. Essays should have thoughtful and insightful commentary illustrating in clear detail what the writer thinks about the material read. Essays will have a clear, coherent and connected focus driven by a strong thesis. Paragraphs will include topic sentences, commentary (analysis), claims, evidence (direct quotations) and concluding sentences. Essays will follow standard MLA format used universally by middle and high schools and by all major universities.