Writing is one of the best ways to help children learn basics such as the concept that print is talk that has been written down (Adams). Even more important, for many children, learning to write provides the motive for learning to read. They start with a strong desire to express themselves in writing and soon delight in reading their own writing as well as the writing of others, such as family members and friends.
Adams, M.J. (1990) Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
This year, the North Elementary teachers are concentrating on the 3 standards of writing found in the new Common Core curriculum. The teachers attend a monthly inservice to learn the most effective and innovative ways to teach these standards to their students.
The 3 writing standards are:
· Narrative writing conveys experience, either real or imaginary, and uses time as its deep structure. It can be used to inform, instruct, persuade, or entertain.
· Informational/Explanatory writing conveys information accurately. This kind of writing serves one or more closely related purposes to increase readers’ knowledge of a subject, to help readers better understand a procedure or process, or to provide readers with an enhanced comprehension of a concept.
· Argumentative writing is used for many purposes-to change the reader’s point of view, to bring about some action on the reader’s part, or to ask the reader to accept the writer’s explanation or evaluation of a concept, issue, or problem.
There are many helpful websites containing ideas to encourage children to write. Here are a few of my favorites:
Please schedule, November 28, 2011 at 6 pm, to attend a parent night with Utah author, Gary Hogg. He will present ideas to guide parents when they are helping their children learn and practice writing. He is very fun, energetic, and full of great ways to motivate children to write. Watch for more information about this event on the school's website and in school newsletters. Visit Gary Hogg's website for writing tips, video clips, and reviews of all his latest books: < http://garyhoggbooks.com>
