Writing

Writing and reading are integrated whenever possible and do not occur in isolation. A balanced language program is guided by the same principles as the reading program. Writing is done for the students, with students and by students. Specific writing skills will be taught directly. Writing will be taught as a six-step process involving prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing and reflecting. Peers as well as the teacher will help with revision and editing. We will also focus our instruction on developing skills such as reasoning, communicating, organizing and applying the appropriate conventions when writing.

Recursive Writing Format :

*remember*

Purpose + Audience = Form

1. Explore

think about it
brainstorm
organize it
get ideas from Writer's Notebook

2. Discovery Draft

write it down
thoughts on paper
rough draft

3. Revise

make changes
does content match the purpose of the writing activity
clarify

4. Edit

spelling
grammar
fix the mistakes

5. Publish

final copy
make it neat
share it with others

Key Instrucional Approaches to Writing - Gradual Release of Responsibility:

Familiarizing
Analyzing
Modelled Writing
- (I do - You watch)
Guiding Writing
- (I do - You help)
Shared Writiing
- (You do - I help)
Independent Writing
- (You do - I watch)

The Junior Writer

Writing in the junior grades provides students with opportunities to learn about themselves and their connection to the world. Junior writers become motivated when offered choices of topics, and text forms that interest them. In my class I will encourage junior students to talk about their writing during the different stages of the writing process.

Through writing, students learn how to communicate effectively for specific purposes and audiences. Students acquire knowledge and deepen their understanding of content in all areas of the curriculum through writing, using a wide range of tools and media. For many students, for example, the computer becomes a useful support in their development as independent writers.

4 Roles of the Junior Writer

Text Analyser - asks: As a writer, have I conveyed my message in a convincing way?
The Meaning Maker asks: As a writer, is my meaning clear
- determining the main idea in 'Way Home'
  - message
  - moral
  - what's the point?

Writer's Workshop

Writer’s Workshop is a daily period of time committed to the process of writing. It begins with whole class explicit teaching (mini-lesson), followed by time in which students either write or participate in peer or teacher conferencing. Iwill provide support through small group guided lessons and/or individual or small group conferencing. Writer’s Workshop usually ends with time for students to share and/or reflect.

- Writer's Folders

- Writer's Notebook

- Daily Writing

- Reflections

- Conferences

The Writing Stages

The Text Crafter asks: As a writer, have I represented words in a conventional manner?
The Text User asks: As a writer, have I used audience and purpose to guide my writing?

The Story Arch