An Environment Suitable For Writing

What better way to start the final class than with revision! With practicum around the corner, having ‘refresher’ classes is ideal. In this session, we first narrowed in on the different types of strategies. Using acronym-based strategies will always be a favorite as it allows you to be creative with your students. The only struggle I see with this strategy is finding an interesting word that brings out the aspects of writing that are being covered.

Where persuasive writing is concerned, we looked at the acronyms POW and TREE.

This is just one of many strategies that can be utilized during writing. Here is a link I found for 13 other writing acronyms: https://www.thesuccessmanual.in/chapter/13-useful-writing-acronyms

The Gradual Release of Responsibility is another aspect of writing (and teaching in general) that has stuck with me throughout my tenure at DTE. It is one that I will definitely try to make use of in the classroom, whether during practicum or daily lessons. The strategy is known to:

-teach background knowledge

-describe the strategy

-model the strategy

-collaborative use

-guided practice (teacher is assisting)

-independent use

It is also ideal that the teacher creates an environment that helps students to learn how to write. He/She can make use of:

-a writing corner

-display student work

-different genre books

-varying charts

Pinterseveralumber of designs and ideas to choose from. Here is one that I found.

When supporting students writing, there are a few materials that can be used:

-Writers' notebooks for recording unique language heard or read,

-reference materials such as dictionaries, thesaurus, spelling books, electronic spell checkers, and teacher-made charts to guide their writing efforts. We had the opportunity to compile several lists that will indeed be beneficial in the long run when conducting day-to-day writing lessons.

Tools for revising

Scissors

Tape

Staples

Stapler

Glue Sticks

Paper

Post-It Notes

Highlighters

Graphic Organizers

Materials for bookmaking

Construction Paper

Wallpaper

Long Arm Staplers

Clear Plastic Covers

Puncher

Twine

Magazines 

Encouraging writing activities

To encourage fun writing activities, the teacher can:

-Displaying Students' Work -Hosting Reading Sessions

-Publishing Students' Writing

-Rewrite/Retell Stories 

-Write Plays

-Writing Portfolios

-Journal Writing

Students can also track their writing progress through the use of:

Writing journals

Diaries

Response journal

Double entry journal

Learning logs

By selecting good models of writing, students will have a better visual of writing writing’ is. They can make use of:

-Physical Visuals

-Text Organization

-Vocab/Language

-Sentence Structure  -Paragraph Structure

-Content

When assessing students writing, there are several ways in which the teacher can go about the process. The most common in my opinion is the use of rubrics.

The rubric:

-Should be specific and detailed to give information

-have Beginning, Developing, and Proficient ratings

-involve different types:

Classic writing rubrics (focusing on writing traits) organization, development of ideas, voice, conventions (spelling grammar, punctuation), sentence variety, word choice

The clearer the criteria, the more students will understand what is expected of them. The teacher can make use of numbers to assign a mark (for example 1-5)

Some other elements that can be used to promote writing are:

-Using portfolios

-Having a collection of products and processes of reading and writing

-Identifying specific writing objectives

-With the students, identify tasks that can achieve the objectives

-Discuss with students the goals and expectations

-Provide folders (for storing writing pieces) or they can bring their own and personalize

-Make a decision as to whether the piece can be written whole class, in groupings, individual

What strategies, tools, and elements do you plan on utilizing in your classroom?