Chapter 3: Writing Strategies and Skills

Capable Writers… (p. 55) Vary their writing based on the purpose and audience Use the writing process flexibly Focus on developing ideas and communicating effectively Ask for feedback Monitor their own writing Use formats and structures appropriate to the genre (ie, letters, poems, stories, essays) Edit their writing at the end of the writing process

Writing involves both strategies and skills Strategies involve complex thinking and problem solving. We learn strategies and become more effective using strategies through PRACTICE! Skills are information-processing techniques. Students learn to use skills automatically and unconsciously in their writing.

Writing involves the use of several strategies (Dean, 2006). Generating Organizing Visualizing Monitoring Playing with language Revising Proofreading Evaluating

Writing also involves many different types of skills: Structuring skills Writing complete sentences Using Standard English grammar Mechanical Skills Spelling Using apostrophes Language Skills Creating similes and metaphors Playing with rhyme

Writing also involves many different types of skills: Reference Skills Using a dictionary or thesaurus Creating a table of contents Handwriting Skills Forming letters correctly (legibly) Spacing between words Computer Skills Keyboarding Using word processing software

Strategy and Skill Instruction Teachers use both direct and indirect methods for teaching strategies and skills Each of the 5 types of writing may be used for teaching strategies and skills (Modeled Writing, Shared Writing, Interactive Writing, Guided Writing, Independent Writing)

Bringing the Reading-Writing Connection Full Circle How does writing impact reading comprehension? Something to Think About! When children write, they’re writing text for others to comprehend. Nell Duke & J. David Pearson

Elements of Writing: What to Teach Ideas (gathering, recording, and expanding ideas) Organization (presenting ideas clearly and coherently) Qualities of Good Writing (word choice, voice, tone, rhythm and flow) Conventions (spelling, punctuation, and grammar)

Writing Skills Support Reading Comprehension When children learn WHY it’s important to use conventional spelling, punctuate carefully, and write neatly, they learn--once again--that text must make sense.

Writing Strategies Support Reading Comprehension When children understand HOW writing strategies parallel reading strategies, they begin to understand the reciprocal nature of the reading and writing process.

Parallel Reading and Writing Strategies Bring background knowledge to bear Visualize to understand Think about text structure Start from what you know; let your interests and passions guide you Create a “picture” for your reader (show don’t tell); attend to word choice Organize your ideas; consider the structure of your piece

Parallel Reading and Writing Strategies Read with a purpose and adjust your reading accordingly Summarize to determine importance Ask questions and wonder to read actively Consider your purpose for writing and your audience Develop your key ideas Write to learn; remain tentative and ready to revise

A child’s school day should make sense. It should be about something A child’s school day should make sense. It should be about something. Ideally the various components of the day should work together, building upon one another for some purpose. Mrytle Simpson, 1990

A teacher’s day should also make sense A teacher’s day should also make sense. Teachers who can see a wholeness and simplicity in their curriculum have an easier task of organizing their day than those who are frustrated or intimidated by what they interpret as the increasing complexity of the curriculum demanded of them. Mrytle Simpson, 1990

With a small group: Choose one strategy. Discuss how this strategy could be taught in each of the 5 types of writing. Choose one skill. Discuss how this skill could be taught in each of the 5 types of writing.