Essentials to Teaching Writing - By Roselle Gordon

 

In teaching writing, educators must take an initiative mindset that encourages students to become powerful writers. 

Consider using what may be considered as the Essentials to Teaching Writing, that follows the process of the writer’s workshop. This enforces a free and creative environment in which children learn to love writing.

·         CHILDREN NEED TIME TO WRITE – allocate writing time during the day. This creates a state of habit.

·         CHILDREN NEED REGULAR RESPONSE TO THEIR WRITING – always, always listen to or read student pieces and give positive feedback. Encourage their peers to also comment and share.

·         CHILDREN NEED TO PUBLISH THEIR WRITINGS – create a space for students to share their pieces with real audiences. Here they imagine themselves as authors. The use of blogs or portfolios can be used where they are accessible to their classmates and others.

·         CHILDREN NEED TO CHOOSE MOST OF THE TOPICS THEY WRITE ABOUT – allow students to choose their own topics or create their own ideas as this makes the pieces more meaningful. Personal experiences are the best teachers.

·         CHILDREN NEED TO HEAR THEIR TEACHERS TALK THROUGH WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS THEY WRITE – model the writing process. Go through each step strategically so that unclear parts are explained and clarified.

·         CHILDREN NEED TO MAINTAIN COLLECTIONS OF THEIR WORK TO CREATE A PORTRAIT OF THEIR WRITING HISTORY – allow students to keep pieces as proof pf their writing progress. Encourage them to put their pieces on display in the classroom or keep a file to track progress.

·         CHILDREN NEED TEACHERS WHO EXPLICITLY TEACH WRITING – teach every facet of writing and language so that students are well rounded and engaged in the process. Do not leave anything out and be sure to use cross-curricular strategies to show relation. Students sometimes think that writing should only happen in Language Arts.

Be sure to acknowledge the importance of recognizing students who may require extra support. Teachers should utilize the use of small group collaborations where needed. Use scaffolding techniques to explicitly teach the content and strategies for writing, model for more impact and ensure that assessment practices give insight areas that need revision or mini-lessons.

As a teacher, I find all the above information interesting and useful in guiding my students into becoming avid writers/authors. In my past experience, I have not taught most of the above, but look forward to implementing some strategies to take them where they need be, as well as to encourage myself as a writer.