Why Writing Feels So Hard to Teach—And What to Do About It

Bridget
Jun 10
4 min read

Let’s be real—teaching writing can feel downright overwhelming.

When I moved from teaching kindergarten to fourth grade, I remember staring at the writing standards and thinking, “This can’t be it… where’s the roadmap?” There was no curriculum, just a list of broad outcomes. I knew writing was important, but I had no clear direction—and it left me questioning every decision I made in the classroom.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever felt like writing instruction is a confusing, heavy lift—you’re not alone. And more importantly? It’s not your fault.

In this post, we’re digging into the real reasons why writing feels so hard to teach… and more importantly, what you can do to make it simpler, clearer, and actually enjoyable for both you and your students.

Why Does Writing Feel So Overwhelming?

There are some deep (and totally valid) reasons why writing can be such a challenge for upper elementary teachers. Let’s break them down:

1. It All Starts With Mindset

Many of us don’t feel like writers, and that insecurity spills into our teaching. We tell ourselves, “I’m not a writing teacher,” and over time, we start to believe it. But the truth is, you don’t need to be a published author—you just need the right structure and strategies.

So we need to work on changing our mindsets. To do this you can try and journal once a day or even once a week. Think about the expectations for your students and use your frameworks to write about your own life. You’ll see tremendous growth as you build more stamina.

2. Writing Is Cognitively Demanding

When students write, they’re juggling a lot—handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, grammar, organization, and idea generation—all while trying to remember the assignment directions. Writing activates multiple areas of the brain at once, and it’s no wonder students (and teachers) feel overwhelmed.

3. There’s a Lack of Professional Development

I recently read a quote that said, “The teacher is the most important learner in the building.” And it stuck with me. So often, we’re handed writing programs or expectations without the PD to back them up. It’s like being handed a map without a compass.

4. Curriculum Gaps Make It Worse

Many writing programs over-focus on genres and under-emphasize skill development. There’s no clear trajectory—just a bunch of pieces to “cover.” That leaves teachers patching things together, hoping it sticks, and burning out in the process.

5. Standards Are Broad and Vague

Have you ever read the 3rd through 6th grade writing standards side by side? They’re almost identical. With little grade-level specificity, it’s hard to know what to teach and when to teach it.

So… What Can You Do About It?

Good news—there is a better way. Here are three powerful shifts that will help simplify your writing block and bring back the joy of teaching writing.

✅ Shift 1: Scaffold Expectations Across Units

One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was expecting final-product quality at the start of the year. But strong writing doesn’t happen overnight.

Instead, build skills intentionally across your units. Start small—maybe with a strong sentence or single paragraph—and gradually increase complexity. Each unit should build on the last, and by the end of the year, students will have developed the skills they need without the panic.

Want a clearer roadmap? I created a Writing Units Cheat Sheet just for you—designed to help scaffold writing across 3rd–6th grade. Grab it here.

✅ Shift 2: Simplify Your Focus

There are so many shiny strategies out there—but the key is consistency. Pick a few high-leverage tools and use them regularly.

Think:

Sentence expansion
Mentor texts & mentor sentences
CUPS & ARMS for editing and revising
Rubrics that students actually understand
Author’s Day celebrations to showcase growth

In my writing program, The Writing Bridge, I guide teachers through these routines step by step, so writing instruction becomes predictable and powerful. Learn more here.

✅ Shift 3: Build Confidence with Small Wins

Teaching writing doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time. In fact, one of the best ways to build momentum is by creating joyful writing experiences.

Try mixing in fun, 3–5 day writing projects between your core units. Use seasonal prompts, tie in a craft, or let students explore a silly topic with structure. These moments re-energize your students and give them chances to apply skills in a low-pressure way.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Describe a small moment like brushing your teeth or waking up to an alarm
Write an imaginative story about a lost sock’s adventure
Create a “how-to” for surviving a day without recess

These quick wins help build your students’ writing stamina and their confidence—without requiring a massive planning overhaul.

Final Thoughts

Teaching writing doesn’t have to feel impossible. When you understand the why behind the overwhelm, you can start building a framework that actually works.

Small steps. Big impact. You’ve got this.

📚 Ready for More Support?

If you’re craving structure and a plan that actually makes sense, here’s how I can help:

📝 Download the Writing Units Cheat Sheet – Scaffold your writing instruction with clarity across 3rd–6th grade.
✏️ Explore The Writing Bridge – A comprehensive, teacher-friendly writing program with built-in routines, scaffolds, and creative projects.
💻 Join the Bridging Literacy Community – Get access to monthly PD, done-for-you resources, and a network of educators who are simplifying writing instruction together.