Entry5: Essentials in teaching writing- trends
According to lecturer Henry’s sessions, we were
taught that children are to be granted a few essentials to write efficiently.
These essentials include:
Time
to write- they should be granted 45-60 minutes to
write so that they can come up with, ideas and text construction.
Regular
responses to their writing – by receiving responses
from teachers, peers, and others; students interact with other writers. This helps
them to understand their audience and provides a safe space for them to ask for
assistance with the construction of their text. As well as collect honest feedback.
Publish
their writing- by writing for the real audience the
students will feel as if they are real authors. They can publish their work by
placing it on a bulletin board or folding it as a real book.
Choose
most of the topics they write about- teachers are to
help students write about things they know and to help build their background
knowledge about topics of their choosing to write fiction, informational text,
poetry, etc.
Here they’re teacher talk through what they are doing as they write- teachers
need to demonstrate or model how expert writers write. Do think aloud; this is
when they read they say what they are thinking aloud. Engaging in the writing
process, by showing how they may begin the piece, developing ideas, making
changes spelling/grammar corrections, etc.
Maintain
collections of their work to create a portrait of their writing history- placing the writing of students in chronological order and observing closely the traits of writing
(organization, voice, etc.) so the teacher and writers can understand the writer’s
development over time.
Teachers
who explicitly teach writing- students need a teacher who is capable
of teaching: how to gather and organize information
.Strategies for
planning, revising, editing their pieces, and summarizing reading materials.
.Purposes their writing products.
https://www.uww.edu/learn/restiptool/improve-student-writing
The article outlines strategies, ideas, and recommendations
from the faculty development literature. One of which is to
“Let students
know that you value good writing.”
Stress the importance of clear, thoughtful writing.
Faculty who tell students that good writing will be rewarded and poor writing
will be penalized receive better essays than instructors who don't make such
demands. In the syllabus, on the first day, and throughout the term, remind
students that they must make their best effort in expressing themselves on
paper. Back up your statements with comments on early assignments that show you
really mean it, and your students will respond.
Since my Grade 2 students are now beginning to learn
about writing, encouragement is not something I stress about. Therefore I find the
article points out important things I need to expand on to get the students to
become effective writers.
Efficient ways to improve student writing. (n.d.). University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. https://www.uww.edu/learn/restiptool/improve-student-writing
The blog summary demonstrates an understanding of various components essential for fostering effective writing skills among Grade 2 students. These components cover time allocation, feedback, student autonomy in topic selection, and modeling expert writing by the teacher. The emphasis on age-appropriate strategies, such as allowing students to choose topics they are familiar with and capable of exploring further, aligns well with encouraging creativity and engagement in writing.
ReplyDeleteMoreso, acknowledging the importance of regular responses and feedback from teachers, peers, and maintaining collections of students' work reflects a student-centric approach. It encourages student involvement and interaction within the writing process .Whilst explicitly teaching writing strategies, from gathering information to revising, editing, and summarizing, shows a well-rounded approach to providing students with essential writing skills.
However, whereas not stressing encouragement, it's crucial to emphasize a positive, encouraging environment, especially for younger students. Positive reinforcement and a nurturing atmosphere can greatly impact a child's willingness to engage in writing and enhance their skills. And while feedback is important, it's crucial to ensure it's constructive and encouraging. Comments should focus on improvement areas while also acknowledging what the student did well. This creates a balanced and encouraging learning environment.
Additionally, while stressing the importance of clear, thoughtful writing is vital, it's also essential to ensure that expectations are clearly communicated and manageable for Grade 2 students. You might consider adapting language and instructions to suit their developmental stage. In addition to identifying and supporting individual students' needs.
Also, engaging parents in supporting writing skills at home can significantly reinforce the learning process. Sharing strategies or providing resources for parents to support their children's writing development could be beneficial.
Overall, the approach outlined demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of effective strategies for teaching writing. By incorporating a balance of constructive feedback, encouragement, and personalized support, the writing development of their Grade 2 students can be ensured.
Is this conversation helpful so far?
yes, it is! thank you for pointing out the importance of encouragement and clarity to writing. I will be sure to include that aspect in my implementations.
DeleteThank you for sharing your session experience. It is interesting that it gives a lot of attention towards helping students write well. I know that writing takes time therefore I should allow ample time for them to write, provide feedback frequently, and let them select topics they are comfortable to write about. I will also apply the strategies highlighted, including highlighting students on good writing, how to write and collections of pupils’ writings. It will help to make my classroom a productive and welcoming site. Preparation for applying these thoughts on our budding writers. It gives me deep appreciation for the useful data.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome! I appreciate the positive and open mindedness towards my insights. Let me know how it goes.
Delete