Teaching+children+to+write

= **Teaching children to write ** = An important aspect in teaching children to write is making sure that children see a purpose for their writing. There are many ways of in which children can learn to write. These include modelled writing, shared and interactive writing, guided writing and independent writing.

** Figure 14.1 Major teaching strategies for writing. (Hill, 2006, pg 299) **

|| ** Features  ** || || * Teacher selects teaching point/s relevant to the learning needs of the children. || * The teacher responds to the writing ideas generated by the children. || * Small group or individual instruction. || * The children choose the topic and write independently. || || * The teacher scribes the text for the children. By breaking up into groups in publishing conferences or as individuals, the children can read and critique each others writing. This helps children understand that although writing can sometimes be for self, it is mostly for an audience of peers. HOME
 * ** Strategy  **
 * ** Modelled Writing **
 * Teacher holds the pen or demonstrates from a book or other text type.
 * Teacher makes explicit the thinking process involved in a selected aspect of writing a text.
 * Children observe the writing process in action. ||
 * ** Shared Writing **
 * Teacher holds the pen and acts as a scribe.
 * Sometimes children are invited to share the pen in more interactive writing.
 * This is a collaborative process between the teacher and children, and children and children. The teacher assumes more than an equal role in which she enables children to develop and organise ideas.
 * Teacher provides guidance and the children’s discussion contributes to a growing awareness and understanding of what writing is about. ||
 * ** Guided Writing **
 * This is the writing conference in action.
 * It is a short teaching mini lesson.
 * Children hold the pen and do the writing. ||
 * ** Independent Writing **
 * ** Language Experience **
 * The teacher and children discuss an event or experience.
 * Children may engage in drawing to help focus thoughts.
 * Children are encouraged to attempt some of the writing – they make attempts at the easy parts.
 * Teacher records the harder parts for the children.
 * The emphasis is to put ‘a press’ on the children’s language. ||