Informative Writing for the Winter Season

Informative and expository writing often brings to mind images of structured essays and research reports. However, when focusing on writing that is designed to provide clear and concise information, you can explore a world of creative projects in which students can draft non-fiction text on a wide range of topics.

One of my favorite ways to integrate informative writing into my classroom curriculum is to use timely or seasonal topics. During the winter season, there are numerous opportunities you can take advantage of that incorporate informative writing in a fun way. 

Winter Vacation Brochures

One way to make expository writing a creative experience is by having your students create brochures. This activity can be a wonderful way for students to explore winter destinations around the world. To begin, fold a white sheet of paper in thirds to create a classic brochure. Next, have students close their eyes and visualize a winter-weather vacation spot. This could be anywhere from the North Pole or Colorado, to any other place that springs to mind.

Have them imagine what their destination feels like. They can close their eyes as you ask them these types of questions:

• Is there a bite in the air?
• What does it smell like? (Peppermint, pine, earthy smell, etc.)?
• What does it look like?
• What things are there to do?

As students open their eyes, you can tell them that they will have the chance to do research and create a winter destination brochure. They can choose to make brochures about places they have been or destinations they have imagined visiting.

Directions and Product Guides

To introduce this next activity, I like to bring in an array of winter products (ski pole, hats, winter jackets, boots, etc.). I give each student an index card with the name of a winter-related item written on it. Students move around the room and meet with partners to provide directions for their product’s use. Once each partner has guessed the item, they move on to a new partner.

I use this as a segue way before I introduce the writing assignment, which is to create a product guide and directions for use of a winter-related item. I have let students use both real and imaginary products for their writing assignment and found the results to be creative and well-developed.

Reference Guides

Perhaps one of my favorite book projects is to have students create fanciful winter reference guides. First, we review the text features of a reference guide:

• the title page
• headings
• vocabulary boxes
• graphics, such as charts or diagrams
• review questions and more

Then, we decide on the page structure for our 'Winter Creature Reference Guide'. Each student is then given responsibility for creating a page of our book. Students can design pages that feature creatures, either real or imaginary. They might decide to create a page about a Yeti, Abdominal Snowman, polar bears, reindeer, etc.  The idea is for students to be creative! After all the pages are complete, we create a title page and glossary based on the finished product. I like to bind the class book and add it to our library. What follows are more ideas to make informational writing a motivating experience.

More Informational Writing Lessons: 

Informational Writing 

As a class, students identify and compare several writing products (articles, editorials, etc.) to develop an understanding of informational text. A number of projects are included within the lesson, such as creating an informational PowerPoint Presentation. 

Writing a Business Letter

After reviewing parts of a business letter, students draft their own. This lesson addresses the needs and concerns that are relevant for all types of business letters, including e-mails. 

Cyber Skills

This lesson ties technology skills and informational text, as students examine, analyze and review provided websites. After finishing their reviews, students brainstorm possibilities for their own site that would address a particular skill and audience.