Strand4 writing k 2

Best Practices in Writing Instruction K-2 Marianne Oakes and Kathy Luiten

Acknowledgement: This presentation is largely based on the work of Dr. Steve Graham.

Challenges for Young Writers Imagine a first grader who has been asked to write about one thing she learned on a class field trip. Table talk - What are the skills she will need for this assignment?

1. Understanding how we use writing to communicate Writing needs to be modeled. Provide authentic literacy activities. Supply a range of writing materials.

2. Unlocking the conventions of concepts of print Interactive book reading Dialogic reading Modeling of writing

3. Discovering that the alphabet is used to represent speech sounds Print represents sounds. Letter names are important. Graphic and phonologic relationships provide insight into how writing works. Invented spelling promotes spelling development .

4. Developing knowledge of the world of text genres Personal narrative is universal. Read alouds introduce students to the ideas and language of books. Students demonstrate early awareness that texts differ depending on purpose. Students need exposure to a variety of genres.

5. Writing or typing well enough to fluently express ideas Fluent handwriting allows students to attend to other writing requirements. Provide explicit handwriting practice for not more than 5-10 minutes. Writing in connected text follows instruction of letters. Keyboarding skills should begin in first grade.

“ I’d like to be an author, but you have to be dead.”

Developmental Stages of Writing: Beginning Unclear ideas Pre-phonetic spelling Marks, lines or scribbles No words Pictures hard to interpret No beginning, end, or sequencing

Developmental Stages of Writing: Emerging Ideas through texts, labels, and symbols Phonetic, decodable, simple words spelled correctly Part of a sentence A few words emerge A general feeling in words and pictures A beginning attempted

Developmental Stages of Writing: Developing Simplistic ideas Phonetic spelling; accurate spelling of some words Sentences begin alike (I am…) Vocabulary “known or safe” Feeling expressed in few words/punctuation Sequencing not present or confusing

Developmental Stages of Writing: Capable Big Idea- simple story or explanation Grade level words correct Variety of sentences Basic words used correctly Identifiable feelings Transitions predictable

Developmental Stages of Writing: Experienced Clear big idea, narrow topic Correct end punctuation Variety of sentence patterns Interesting word choice Writer’s feelings evident Correct sequencing

Developmental Stages of Writing: Exceptional Big idea clear, original Paragraphing indented, capitals and punctuation correct Rhythm fluid, pleasant when read aloud Word choice striking, some memorable phrases. Exceptional audience awareness Transitions smooth and varied

Let’s Get Writing! Writing Prompt #1 My Most Memorable School Year 30 seconds to plan 3 minutes to write

Now Try This… Writing Prompt #2 An Inspirational Person in My Life 30 seconds to plan 3 minutes to write

A Few New Rules.. Reverse every “b”, “d”, “p”, and “q”. Use manuscript only. Spell every four-letter word backwards. Capitalize every five-letter word, and Write with your non-dominant hand.

Top Two Least Glamorous Topics in all of Literacy: Spelling Handwriting However…..

They are Essential!!! While Spelling and Handwriting are certainly not ends unto themselves, serious deficits in one of both of these skills can undercut success in Reading and Writing. “ Best Practices in Writing Instruction” Graham et.al., 2007

Early Reading / Writing Connection Students learn letter names and letter sounds and map those sounds to print. (map, sit, bed) They move to sound spellings, i.e. “i” = “igh”, “ie”, i_e, “y”. (light, pie, bike, sky) In more advanced vocabulary, meaning relations take precedence over sound. (sign–signature, compete–competition)

Developmental Spelling Instruction Connect spelling and reading instruction. Map spelling instruction to decoding skills i.e. CVC readers should have CVC spelling words. Spelling should be explicitly taught. (not only as a dictation or homework activity)

What You’ll See Improved Spelling Longer Papers Better Sentence Construction Better Word Choice More Motivated Writers!

Do I Really Have to Teach Handwriting??? YES!!

We still handwrite things like: Notes Essays for standardized tests Short and extended responses on proficiency tests and Poor handwriting can influence judgments about the quality of student work. WHY???

What We’ve Learned About Handwriting Instruction Start with manuscript and transition to cursive. Provide explicit instruction in letter formation . Ensure sufficient (short, engaging) practice. Provide abundant opportunities for purposeful writing.

“ Just as a failure to develop accurate and automatic decoding can impair comprehension in readers, failure to develop legible and automatic letter and word formation may interfere with content in writing….. Because of the excessive labor and unattractive results involved in such writing, students are more likely to avoid or minimize the process” “ “ Best Practices in Writing Instruction” Graham et.al., 2007 Think about it….

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 1: Develop Background Knowledge Goal: Ensure students understand, learn and apply the strategy. Teachers must identify prerequisite skills and assess readiness.

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 2: Discuss It Goal: Ensure students are motivated and willing to learn. Examine and discuss current performance and perceptions of writing. Introduce progress monitoring. Students identify an aspect of writing to improve. Students graph their performance. (rockets)

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 3: Model It Goal: Provide explicit instruction on strategy use. Modeling is most effective when teachers model a think-aloud highlighting “how” and “why”. Model self-motivation statements and goal setting. Students discuss ways to make the strategy more appropriate or effective.

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 4: Memorize It Goal: Ensure students become familiar enough to use steps with automaticity. Make memorization fun. Consider mnemonics.

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 5: Support It Goal: Students assume responsibility for using the strategy. How you get there: Scaffolded instruction Cooperative groups Frequent Feedback Other positive reinforcement Patience

Self Regulated Strategy Development Stage 6: Independent Performance ULTIMATE Goal of SRSD is to ensure that students consistently use a strategy: Over time In multiple settings With a variety of tasks Encourage students to recognize how a strategy improves their writing.

Best Practices in Writing Instruction (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) by Steve Graham EdD, Charles A. MacArthur PhD and Jill Fitzgerald PhD (Feb 24, 2007) Guilford Press Resources

Resources Writing Project: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/projectwrite/ Writing Fix: http://www.writingfix.com/ Read Write Think: http://www.readwritethink.org/ 6+1 Traits Writing: http://educationnorthwest.org/traits

Strand4 writing k 2

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