Writing

-Writing-

 "When children begin writing, they can tell more complex stories than they can write. This is because learning to write-to represent language in written symbols-involves learning to use a pencil, to hold it properly and create letters, words and sentences to convey meaning to others" (Hill, S 2006, pg 279). Hill, S (2006) stated that "when young children begin writing, they learn that there are differences between the language they speak and the language they write down" (pg 280).

As with reading, as children progress through different stages in writing the need for assistance from the teacher decreases, therefore the assistance given by the teacher decreases, as shown in the diagram below. "Modeled writing is //writing out loud//. The teacher demonstrates the processes involved in generating ideas and putting them down on paper, talking all the while about what they are thinking and doing. This is writing //for// students. Shared writing involves the students in generating ideas for writing. The teacher is the scribe, talking about her writing process as the students contribute to the text. This is writing //with// students. Interactive writing invites students to participate in the writing by sharing the pen. The teacher guides a student who is writing, while other students observe and learn from the demonstration." ( Rog, LJ 2003, pg 9). "Guided writing provides support for students as they practice their skills and knowledge. It may take a variety of forms, such as small group writing, patterned writing or guided revision" (Rog, LJ 2003, pg 9). Independent writing is essential for students to practice the skills and strategies they have learned. Including both teacher assigned and self selected writing tasks, independent writing should incorperate opportunities for students to get responses to their writing-such as individual conferences and Author's Chair, in which students share their writing to receive feedback from others in the class." (Rog, LJ 2003, pg 10)    Modeled writing:   "Modeled writing is the teacher being an active writer. The teacher models the selection of topics; demonstrates the skills of gathering and organizing information; shows the need to clarify meaning; and models the ways in which information can be reordered, reoriented, changed, or deleted". (Modeled writing)    Shared writing:       In shared writing "students make authorial contributions to the writing process. As the teacher takes responsibility for the secretarial aspects, the students can focus their participation on the authorial aspects of the writing process such as generating and extending ideas and transferring ideas into written language structures. Students can see their ideas and suggestions incorporated into a text or part of a text, which is more complex than one they could write independently. Shared Writing can take place with the whole class as a demonstration or with small groups of children who have the same need. Children will need to be sitting on the mat where they can all see the easel where the message is going to be written." (Education Victoria, 1998)      Interactive writing:  "In interactive writing, the teacher helps groups of students compose and write text together, usually on large chart paper. With guidance from the teacher, individual students take turns writing, as classmates offer ideas and suggestions. Students practice writing strategies and skills modeled by the teacher, including letter formation, phonemic awareness and phonics, and concepts about print. Interactive writing is sometimes called "sharing the pen.""(WGBH Educational Foundation)  Guided writing: Guided writing is "designed to teach a specific skill or strategy to the whole group, a small group, or individuals and to give children practice in the writing. Each child has their own writing materials and space. The children do the writing, but are supported when needed by a teacher who provides instruction through mini-lessons and conferences". (Balanced Literacy Connection, pg 58)

 Independent writing: "In independent writing, students write about literature or other topics on their own. In this video library, students write and illustrate creative stories or journal entries on topics of their own choosing. Often followed by a time to share written work with a partner or with the whole class, independent writing allows students to be recognized as authors and to receive feedback." (WGBH Educational Foundation) 