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Entry 12: Teaching Writing- A Thoughtful Reflection

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  My Writing Philosophy My primary aim in teaching writing is not merely to refine the craft but to empower students to express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings in a compelling and articulate manner. I believe that writing is a vital skill with applications beyond the classroom, impacting self-expression, critical thinking, and successful communication. These goals encompass not only skill development but also nurturing a passion for the written word, instilling confidence in their unique voices, and fostering an understanding of writing as a lifelong learning process. Upon careful consideration, it becomes evident that students acquire robust writing skills through a dynamic interplay of practice, teaching, and feedback. Providing diverse writing opportunities, ranging from formal analysis to creative expression, enables students to develop their own writing voices while honing fundamental abilities through well-organized exercises and real-world assignments. As a teacher, ...
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Entry Eleven: Philosophy for Teaching Writing in the Primary Levels

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  Creating A philosophy for teaching writing at the elementary school level entails using a variety of techniques (Smith, 2018). Setting process-based writing, including ideation, drafting, revision, and editing, as a top priority is crucial (Jones & Brown, 2020). Using narrative and visual aids, activities should strive to spark creativity (Johnson et al., 2019). For young students, writing becomes more meaningful when it is connected to real-life events (Robinson, 2017). Providing constructive criticism that addresses both content and technique is essential for creating a pleasant writing environment (Williams, 2021). Peer review fosters teamwork and improves communication abilities (Davis & Garcia, 2016). Ensuring inclusion in the learning process is ensured by adapting teaching strategies to accommodate varied learning styles (Anderson, 2019). The ultimate objective is to foster a lifetime appreciation of writing as an effective means of communication and self-expressio...
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Digital Storytelling using PowToon

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  In the ever-evolving world of today, incorporating technology into elementary education has become essential to providing students with a well-rounded education and preparing them for the future.  Early technology adoption not only increases student engagement and excitement for learning, but it also gives them the skills they need to succeed in the digital world. Lessons become more approachable and pleasurable with the use of interactive educational apps, multimedia presentations, and online resources that accommodate a variety of learning styles.  Additionally, early exposure to technology fosters digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities in children, equipping them to deal with the complexity of today's environment.  Teachers who use technology in the elementary school empower their learners to be lifelong learners who can use innovation to further their academic goals. Technology integration not only changes the learning experienc...
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Entry 13: Unveiling the Power of Portfolios- A Comprehensive Evaluation Strategy for Young Students

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  A dynamic and student-centered instrument that is becoming more and more prominent in the ever-evolving field of educational assessment is the portfolio (Birgin & Baki, 2007, p. 76). As we dig into the world of thorough evaluation, let's examine the benefits and factors to consider when using portfolios, especially those specifically designed to evaluate the development of our younger students.   Advantages of Portfolio Assessment:   Holistic Insight into Student Growth A portfolio offers a comprehensive picture of a student's development throughout time. Teachers can examine not just academic successes but also the development of critical abilities, creativity, and personal growth by gathering and curating a variety of work samples (Dayal, & Cowie, 2019, p. 101). For example, an early draft, changes, and a polished final product could all be included in a portfolio that shows a young student's progress through a writing unit. This demonstrates the stude...
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Entry 12: Philosophy for teaching writing

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  “Promoting writing in the primary grades” is founded on the belief that fostering a love for writing from an early age cultivates not just literacy skills but also creative thinking and self-expression. This course is the recognition that providing children with diverse and meaningful writing opportunities contributes to their development stage and not only enhances their communication abilities but also nurtures their confidence.  An important aspect of this course that stood out to me, which is also my intended goal; is encouraging educators to create a supportive environment that celebrates individuality, values experimentation, and emphasizes the joy of writing, thereby laying a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of written  words. As well as providing as much guidance as possible.  (S. Graham n.d) stated "teaching fundamental writing skills, encouraging students to develop essential writing knowledge, and developing a supportive writing environment....
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Entry Ten: Assessing Writing in the Primary Levels

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Teachers engage in a delicate dance while evaluating writing in the primary grades in order to recognize, encourage, and promote the emerging abilities of young writers (Smith, 2019). It's about releasing the potential for communication and self-expression, not just about giving grades. This blog will discuss efficient methods for evaluating writing in the primary grades while maintaining a healthy balance between supportive criticism and constructive criticism.   Holistic Strategy: Start with a holistic approach that takes into account a child's writing skills' overall development (Jones & Brown, 2020). Go beyond correct grammar and spelling to recognize originality, voice, and concept communication skills. This method fosters a positive outlook on writing by reiterating the notion that each attempt is a positive step forward.   Clear Criteria and Expectations: Clearly define the requirements and expectations for the writing assignments (Clark, 2018). Share these with ...
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Entry 11: The Reading and Writing Connection

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In the vibrant world of elementary education, the connection between reading and writing is more than an academic collaboration; it's a dynamic dance that lays the foundation for proficient literacy. Reading and writing development begin in early childhood and are linked in daily function and in classroom activities from kindergarten, through high school and beyond (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2019). In the early years of education, the partnership between reading and writing resembled a mutual exchange of skills that shaped young minds into adept communicators. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2019), reading is defined as the ability to decode written text quickly and accurately and to comprehend what is read. Writing is defined as the ability to produce connected text (sentences, paragraphs, and documents), either by handwriting or keyboarding, that communicates an idea or information. Let's explore thi...
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Entry 11: Assessing Writing

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  In this session, we conversed about how we could assess writing. I was already knowledgeable about assessment tools from our previous classes at the beginning of my teacher training year, also since I have been teaching for several years over time, I became more familiar with assessing.          Some of the assessment tools are rubrics, checklists, answer sheets, etc. However, to assess writing we encourage assessors to use rubrics.  Rubrics are important tools because they help teachers answer the questions: ‘How good is the writing piece?” what qualities of a good writer did the person effectively use?” and “Effective language used” etc. The writer in this piece could have improved by more effectively incorporating various qualities of good writing, such as organization, development of ideas, sentence variety, word choice, voice, and conventions. While discussing rubrics, the textbook outlines descriptors for different performanc...
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Entry 10: The reading writing connection

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  As I read, the passage highlights the correlation between good readers and good writers, emphasizing how astute readers tend to develop strong writing skills. It discusses how attentive readers observe and analyze effective writing techniques to refine their own ideas and understand organizational structures, developmental aspects, and stylistic choices. Drawing parallels to various professions where practitioners learn from their peers, such as singers admiring vocalists or medical students observing renowned surgeons. It also suggests that to enhance writing abilities, students might be encouraged by instructors to study professional essays included in the curriculum. It advocates for the practice of analytical reading, providing steps to hone this skill, with the assurance that repeated practice integrates this approach seamlessly into one's reading experience.   As a teacher, observing the interconnectedness between reading and writing in my classroom has been an enl...
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Entry Nine: Challenges in Teaching Writing in Primary Levels

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  Teaching writing to primary school pupils is a difficult but rewarding endeavor (Smith, 2018). Teachers face a number of challenges as they work to mold the brains of future learners, challenges that call for innovative solutions. We'll examine the difficulties in teaching writing at the elementary school level in this blog and provide suggestions for overcoming them.   Developmental Diversity: The enormous disparities in elementary pupils' developmental stages are one of the main obstacles (Jones & Brown, 2019). Given that every child develops at a different rate, accommodating differing levels of cognitive and motor skills calls for a flexible strategy.   Motivating Reluctant Writers: Getting reluctant authors to write presents a big challenge (Clark, 2020). Some kids might not be motivated or confident writers. Techniques like adding enjoyable and engaging exercises, relating writing to personal experiences, and giving students options can all help spark ...
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