Best Practices for Effective Writing at the Primary Level
As I mentioned in the previous blog post on the Writer's Workshop, writing, and teaching students to write can be compared to a "toothache" and "pulling teeth."
"How so?", one may ask. This is because it is deemed hard, frustrating, time consuming and it is definitely the subject easily ignored and/or avoided.
"But why?", one may add. It could be for one simple reason, "Its thought of and taught wrongly."
As some experts would have noticed, in many classrooms, especially in the primary grades, writing is taught for the sake of writing, for the sake of getting a grade or because teachers are forced to teach it. That's on the down-side of things. On the upside, some teachers view the teaching of writing as a way for students to demonstrate what they were taught. For example, students may compose a paragraph to show they know how to write a paragraph or a letter to show they know its format. And while the latter is not such a bad thing, it is important to note again that writing is much more than this.
In an article Proven Instructional Practices for High Quality Writing, it was noted that,
in a 2003 report, The Neglected “R”: The Need for a Writing Revolution, the National Commission on Writing stated: Writing is not simply a way for students to demonstrate what they know. It is a way to help them understand what they know
How do we get them to do that. We have to employ effective strategies to promote effective writing.
"What are these strategies/practices for effective writing instruction at the primary level?"
In this blog, I would like to share some of what I have learnt through research and discussions in my LIT 102 class, to help us as teachers get a better understanding of what they are.
The list below are ideas researched and shared by my colleagues.
1. Giving students daily practice with useful feed back, makes them better writers. ( myself)
The more student's write the better they become, especially if they are guided by the writing process. Lack of practice can make students to feel that writing is unimportant/unnecessary and boring and they do not put as much effort into doing it. Some students take longer to start or catch up with their writing when they are away from it for too long. Constructive feedback helps them to improve on their weaknesses an build on their strengths.
2. Model and write with students. (myself)
Writing with our students helps to motivate them to write when they see us actually doing it along with them.
3. Establish a positive atmosphere for writing. (contributed by Deleon .E)
Create an inviting classroom with flexible seating, accessible resources, and attractive surroundings.
4. Provide a classroom context of shared learning. (contributed by Kimberly. T)
Students need a safe and not a critical place where they can take risk and try new things that will drive their growth as a writer.
5. Read to students and encourage them to read more. (contributed by Shermel. W)
This develops language skills, stimulates imagination and expands their understanding of the world. Reading gives ideas that can help students to start writing.
6. Have students engage in writing friendship cards. (contributed by Monique. S)
Have students engage in writing friendship cards, so they can express their thought and creativity through writing. This will help the students to use their imagination and become better writers.
7. Give students writing choices. (contributed by Louisa. S)
This would allow for students to take ownership of their learning and produce writing that is more real to them.
8. Use different strategies. (contributed by Tassie. S)
Use different strategies such as read & think aloud, questions, prompts, clues, echo reading and modelling to enhance the writing process.
9. Revise the piece to ensure the main idea is clear and that the writing is concise. (contributed by Onida. T)
Edit: analyze each sentence for clarity, efficiency and grammar.
Proofread: this is the final read through before publication. Look for errors which may have been missed.
10. Organize for writing. (contributed by Mohanie. K)
If students use a writer's notebook during writing workshops to practice their writing they can therefore reflect on their own progress.
11. Pre-writing activities allow students to brainstorm ideas before a writing assignment. (contributed by Zoe. C)
It is important because it helps students to enhance their writing and assists them in increasing their self-motivation and creativity.
These are all wonderful and promised to be workable practices that are sure to make better writers of our students. It is my hope, that we not just read them, but try them out. And feel free to comment and share on any more ideas that you may have.
I have placed the links below of three great articles that I have read that has similar and other Best Practices for Writing. One, " Becoming our own expert teachers and writers," was shared in a previous blog post, so if you haven't read it yet, you can check it out here.
Becoming Our Own Experts - Teachers as Writers Teachers
Proven Instructional Practices for High Quality Writing
In my opinion, these practices for teaching writing are important in helping students to not only write in the classroom but to become an exceptional writer in their live. As teachers we need to assess the different levels of our students to plan appropriate lessons and teaching strategies to help students pass through each writing process successfully.
ReplyDeleteA very well detailed summary on the best practices of becoming an effective writer at primary school. In my opinion, these very skills can also be used at all levels within education. I love that you mentioned that reading plays a vital role in writing and it is evident that when students engagebin reading it improves their vocabulary thus allowing them to use terms which will paint a picture in the readers mind when reading.
ReplyDeleteThese practices are very vital to help students become better writers. You make mention of different practices that we can use in our classroom. In my opinion if we implement these best practices out students will become better writers.
ReplyDeleteReading and writing goes hand in hand. Students need to be taught to read everyday and clearly understand what was read. Reading broadens one's vocabulary which enhances a broader scope for new words, sentence structure and diverse of different ideas in writing.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, writing becomes easier when students are exposed to public speaking. Have students analyze each others work or have them critique each others work. Hence, it sparks interest, motivation and creativity.
I do agree that students not only need more time to for writing in order to improve their writing skills but they also need to read. As a child going to school, teachers would always tell us that we need to read constantly as reading helps to build our imagination and helps us to think vividly which would help us to become good writers.
ReplyDeleteEven though that was a very long time ago, our students should be encouraged to read various types of books which helps to build vocabulary skills and also help our students to become creative thinkers.