"My dog is fun. I like ice cream. The park is big. Yesterday I went to the park with my dog, and we had ice cream."

"The dog is good. The book is good. The day was good."

"i like the beach it is fun to swim and play with my frend we go a lot."

Above are some examples from elementary grade students who came to BetterGradez to improve their writing skills. In the first example, the student jumps from one thought to another without clear connections or transitions. The writing lacks coherent flow, making it difficult to understand the sequence of events. In the second example, the student has limited vocabulary, using the same word repeatedly. In the final example, there are common grammar and punctuation errors.

These are common challenges our students in elementary grades face today.

 The Challenges of Writing in Elementary Grades

In the digital age, writing skills are often overlooked. Even though typing is essential, it’s still a form of writing. Writing coherent sentences with meaningful paragraphs is something many elementary grade students struggle with. This struggle limits their ability to express themselves clearly. Some of the key challenges include:

• Organizing Thoughts: Many students struggle to structure their ideas logically, as seen in the first example. A student may jump from one unrelated thought to another, making it very difficult to follow.

• Limited Vocabulary: This is the second biggest issue we are seeing, and it prevents students from fully expressing themselves. Their writing becomes monotonous and lacks depth.

• Grammar and Punctuation Errors: A number of students miss basic grammar rules like capitalization, comma usage, etc. These mistakes do not instill confidence in the reader.

Kids Do Not Write Enough

In today’s world, where kids spend a lot of their time on video games, YouTube, TikTok, etc., writing often takes a backseat. Schools have also shifted away from writing tasks to multiple-choice tests or short-answer questions. According to The National Commission on Writing, writing is often neglected in the curriculum, even though it is crucial for academic success and communication.

Parents are noticing this shift and are aware of the difference compared to their own generation. This is why many of them come to BetterGradez to have their children learn the foundation of this very important skill.

BetterGradez Approach to Improving Writing Skills

At BetterGradez, we believe that writing is an essential part of success in life. It is not just a school task but a communication tool that, when combined with critical thinking, creativity, and vocabulary, provides a powerful channel for expressing thoughts and feelings. Building a foundation in these skills is essential for later success.

We improve this skill by making the process fun, engaging, and tailored to each student’s needs and interests. Here are the key ways we help elementary students build strong writing foundations:

Personalized 1:1 Tutoring

At BetterGradez, we only provide one educator for each student. We do not believe in one educator teaching multiple students simultaneously. Every student is unique, learns differently, and has different needs, and one size does not fit all.

Our tutors work to understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses and, based on this, create a customized study plan to improve their writing. Many students take time to open up and share their thoughts with the educator. One-on-one tutoring provides a safe, trust-based space where students can express themselves without fear of judgment. This allows them to take risks, ask questions, and develop a love for writing.

Our tutors provide exercises to improve sentence structure, grammar, and creative expression. Research has consistently shown that individualized instruction improves student performance, especially in writing. Personalized tutoring helps students gain the confidence and skills they need to write effectively.

Making Writing Fun

Each student has different interests in writing. Some enjoy writing fiction, while others prefer journaling. Our tutors make writing fun by giving students exercises that they enjoy. If it’s fiction, a tutor might prompt: "What would happen if you discovered a secret door in your house?" If it’s a journal, they might ask: "Write about your day." These small exercises help students develop narration while improving vocabulary and grammar.

In some cases, tutors ask students to first draw and then write. This is particularly helpful if a student is a visual learner, as it helps them organize and express their thoughts better. According to the National Writing Project, using creative writing exercises can significantly improve writing skills by engaging students and allowing them to express themselves in unique ways.

Building Vocabulary and Grammar Skills

Our tutors teach students to infer the meaning of words based on the context in which they are used. This strategy increases vocabulary and improves comprehension.

Tutors also use games such as vocabulary bingo and flashcards to improve vocabulary and make learning fun. They incorporate interactive activities like "Grammar Jeopardy" or "Sentence Scramble" to reinforce the rules of punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.

Engaging Parents and Family

At BetterGradez, we believe that writing improvement doesn’t end when the tutoring session is over. We actively encourage parents to participate in their child’s writing journey. Our tutors recommend that parents set aside time each week to write with their child. Whether it’s creating a story together or journaling about a recent family event, this shared activity reinforces the importance of writing while making it a fun, family-oriented task.

Tutors sometimes provide parents with writing prompts and activities to do at home. For example, parents can ask their child to write a letter to a family member or create a short story based on a recent outing. Research from Scholastic shows that children whose parents are involved in their education, particularly in reading and writing, perform better academically and develop stronger writing skills.

Encouraging Revision and Feedback

One of the key lessons we teach students at BetterGradez is that writing isn’t about getting it right the first time. It’s about revision and improvement. After completing a writing task, students are encouraged to share their work with their tutor. This collaborative review process helps them see their writing from another perspective and understand how they can improve. Tutors provide specific feedback that highlights both strengths and areas for improvement. Instead of focusing solely on mistakes, we celebrate successes and offer guidance on how to make the writing even better.

Research by John Hattie emphasizes the importance of feedback in student learning. Students who receive timely, constructive feedback are more likely to develop a growth mindset and improve their writing skills.

Summary: BetterGradez Helps Students Excel in Writing

Like reading, writing is a process that requires patience, creativity, and the right support to develop. Our tutors are experts in helping students navigate this process. This is why we provide personalized, 1:1 writing support to help students overcome the hurdles they face in today’s digital age.

With BetterGradez, our goal is not just to improve academic scores but to help children develop a foundation and love for writing, enabling them to fully express themselves and be successful in whatever profession they choose tomorrow.

Hashtags: #WritingSkills #BetterGradez #ElementaryWriting #WritingTutorNearMe #TutoringForKids

 

Research Sources:

1. National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). "The Condition of Education Report."

2. National Writing Project. (2018). "The Power of Writing for Young Learners."

3. Hattie, J. (2012). "Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning."

4. Scholastic. (2020). "Kids & Family Reading Report, 8th Edition."

5. Institute of Education Sciences (IES). (2021). "Effective Strategies for Improving Writing in Early Grades."