Which writing skill is most appropriate for first-grade instruction?

The focus on revising writing by adding details or missing information is particularly appropriate for first-grade instruction because students at this developmental stage are still learning the foundational skills of writing. At this age, children are beginning to understand the importance of details in their narratives and are often encouraged to expand their ideas. This practice helps them learn to express their thoughts more clearly and develop their storytelling skills.

By concentrating on adding details, first graders can engage in a hands-on revision process that enhances their creativity and descriptive abilities. This skill is pivotal as children begin to move beyond simple sentence structures and learn how to build more complex ideas by including relevant information. Encouraging this kind of revision not only shows them how to improve their writing but also reinforces their understanding of the components that make up a strong narrative.

The other options, while important writing skills, align more with skills developed in later grades. For instance, focusing writing for a particular audience may be too advanced for first graders, as they are still attempting to articulate their basic ideas. Similarly, varying sentence length and using transition words are skills that typically come into play as children progress in their writing capabilities, usually in higher elementary grades when they have a firmer grasp of language structure and audience awareness.