Paragraphs are the key to organized writing. Each paragraph should contain one main idea or thought, and a topic sentence that sums up that thought in a nutshell. The paragraph should also contain supporting sentences that explain or supplement the leading idea in the topic sentence.

Here is how you could do this with your children:

1. Tell your students to write a rough draft composition (about one or two pages long). Emphasize that their work will be rewritten after they learn a new writing technique. This composition can be about a book read, an experience, a trip or perhaps even be an original piece of fiction. (See more ideas in the Easy Homeschooling books, http://www.easyhomeschooling.com)

2. Next—perhaps the next day—have your children circle, highlight, underline or bold (if using a word processor) the sentences that are most important. These are the topic sentences. In a handwritten one page essay, there should be approximately two to five topic sentences. You could use a different colored highlighter or pencil for each paragraph.