Breathing Life into Essays (Grades 3-5)

This professional teacher's guide by Lucy Calkins and Cory Gillette provides a step-by-step curriculum to help elementary students build confidence and voice in personal and persuasive essay writing. Part of the "Units of Study" series for grades 3 to 5, this volume focuses on teaching students how to generate structured ideas, use diverse evidence (such as personal anecdotes, lists, and quotes), and logically organize their arguments. It moves young writers away from rigid, formulaic writing structures toward dynamic, meaningful essays that truly come alive.