There are many studies and tools to help students improve their reading skills, but there seems to be less emphasis on writing. I would love to learn about the strategies you have found effective in helping students who are struggling with writing.
Read a book first as a reader, then again as a writer. Notice the sentence structure and usage of different parts of speech. Next, use a paragraph to practice identifying parts like the topic sentence or thesis statement using colored highlights for different elements, much like a map key. Engage in shared writing where, after a discussion or story, everyone collaboratively writes, improving each sentence. Use mentor sentences for them to emulate and start them on writing about familiar topics with structured support, gradually advancing to multi-paragraph essays. Always model and use visual aids to highlight structure. Make speaking in full sentences a norm, as it helps transition into writing fluently.
@Alex1
Great reminder! I need to do more modeling in front of the whole class. I usually do this in small groups.
zane said:
@Alex1
Great reminder! I need to do more modeling in front of the whole class. I usually do this in small groups.
When I taught ESL, I managed to get all my students, even beginners, to reach proficient or advanced levels on state assessments.
Does anyone have suggestions for encouraging second graders to write? I asked them to write a three-sentence paragraph today, and it was incredibly challenging. They wouldn’t start writing despite using engaging texts, scaffolds, sentence starters, and word banks.
@Dexter
I face a similar challenge with my fourth graders who struggle even with writing complete sentences. We’re improving slowly with lots of practice, especially with their at-home reading logs.
Years ago, there was a program that allowed kids to receive a book from Amazon, read it, and write a review. This review would be posted online to help other customers. This incentivized reading and writing regularly, proving to be a motivating method for my son who would complete a book report every couple of weeks.
@Calvin
I just checked, and the program still exists. It might be worth incorporating something similar to encourage reading and writing.
I sometimes rearrange their seating to sit near students they aren’t friends with. I tell them, ‘We aren’t discussing this today. If you want your seat changed, write me an email tonight.’ It results in surprisingly well-written emails.
I find mentor sentences useful. Students can elaborate on these and then attempt to write their own sentences following the example. Additionally, I use the author’s chair strategy and give them freedom in their weekly writing tasks, which helps foster a love for writing. Teaching grammar explicitly is also beneficial.
I sometimes make assessments handwritten only. It’s a bit old-fashioned, but I learned to use libraries and encyclopedias from my grandmother before I could use a computer. This taught me valuable research skills and effective time management when later allowed to use technology.
I oscillated on how structured writing lessons should be before deciding to teach the Jane Schaffer method to all my high school students. It provides a solid foundation for high-stakes tests and first-year college writing courses. As students master the structure, I encourage them to develop their own style.
@JosephGeorges
I’ve found structured writing effective as well. It ensures all students at least meet the proficient or advanced levels on assessments, even if some struggle to move beyond the structured formats.
The approach might be classic, but it works: read extensively. Reminds me of the SRA Reading Labs where extensive reading improved comprehension and writing skills.
Kids need to see how skilled authors craft their stories, introducing characters and weaving narratives that are coherent and compelling. Emulating admired writers and using vivid language can motivate them to develop their unique writing style. Recognition for their writing can also be a strong motivator.
Effective writing instruction starts with solid reading skills. Many students struggle with following complex thoughts through text, which hampers their writing. Just like it’s challenging to teach someone to play an advanced game without basic computer skills, it’s tough to teach writing to students who aren’t proficient readers.
While it’s crucial to support struggling writers, we mustn’t overlook strong readers who may not be confident writers. I excelled in reading and standardized tests but struggled with writing during my PhD. Learning to write effectively is essential, even for those who are naturally good readers.
I follow several Science of Writing groups on social media, which provide useful tips and discussions. These resources are beneficial for anyone interested in enhancing their writing instruction methods.