TBCS - Craig - Ideas for Writing from “Lighting the Literacy Fire” Jill E. Eggleton

Notes from “Lighting the Literacy Fire” Jill E. Eggleton, Writing Pg. 85-113

Ideas for writing.

Shared writing – Teacher and students work together to construct a piece of writing. E.g. retelling a story that has been read to the class – class has been on a trip – a visitor has been in the school/class – when an investigation or experiment has been carried out.

Interactive Writing – Similar to shared writing, but each student writes down the text for themselves. Some words may have to be modelled. Best with small groups.

Writing for Students – Teacher takes control of the writing and demonstrates their own writing in front of the students, explaining each step of the process.

-         Have the learning intentions or targets on a chart alongside you and clearly visible.

-         Explain why you are writing (purpose)

-         Explain who you are writing for (audience)

-         What you are going to writing about (topic)

-         What text form you writing is going to shaped in (e.g. description, explanation…)

-         Write in front of the students, talking to them about what you are going to say next and why.

-         Select a feature of deeper features and discuss as you write.

-         Use high frequency words.

-         Reinforce punctuation.

-         Reread, talking to the students about the importance of revisiting your writing to see if anything can be added or deleted to make the message clearer.

Text Form Cards – have text form cards available for students. They have the features and structures for different text forms listed.

Independent Writing

-         Students should write every day.

-         Conferencing is very important to give feedback to the writher on strengths and needs. This could be partner conferences, Group conferences, and student/teacher conferences

Publishing – gives and purpose to the writing and is an important factor in keeping students enthusiastic about their writing.

Different Forms of Writing.

Narrative – Adventure Stories, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Myths and Legends, Fables, Fairy Tales, Poetry, Plays

Personal Narratives – Informational Reports, Newspaper Reports, Factual Descriptions, Journals, Interviews, Diaries, Journals, Biographies, Auto biographies.

Explanations – Informational Explanations, News Articles.

Persuasive – Persuasive Arguments, Advertisements, Brochures.

Procedural – Recipes, Directions, Manuals, Rules, Experiments.

Letters – Friendly, Formal, Emails, Faxes.

• Sharing PLD knowledge, relevant readings and research with colleagues.