Literacy » Writing

Writing

What is writing?
The goal of writing is to clearly communicate ideas, positions, or critical thinking to demonstrate understanding.  Writing allows one to communicate what they know about a topic or concept.
 
Reading and writing are closely linked with writing as a form of comprehension expression.  Reading provides information for the writer.  Writing provides the written expression of the information gained through reading.  Writing encourages putting all the literacy skills together – ex: phonics, vocabulary, language, and structure.
 
Writing is a difficult process and takes practice.  Students must have foundational writing understanding (handwriting, spelling, punctuation, word, and sentence development) along with writing skills (knowledge about a topic or concept, vocabulary, sentence construction, grammar, organization of ideas, and understanding the audience one is writing for), in order to be a successful writer (LETRS, Volume 2, Unit 8, pg 233).
 
Types of Writing
  • Informative or Explanatory
  • Opinion or Argumentative
  • Narrative Writing or Personal Recount
The Writing Process
 
Writing Process 
  • Brainstorming or Planning – gets ideas out and organize
  • Drafting – getting the information out on paper
  • Revising and Reviewing – adding or removing ideas, coherent and effective communication of ideas or positions, and preparing work for feedback by others for improvement
  • Final Presentation or Publishing – putting it all together from the self-made revisions, and changes based on feedback to the final presentation
Seven Stages of Children's Writing Development (Apple Slice, Feb 2020)
 
Stages of Learning How to Write
  • Drawing/Scribbling
  • Labeling Pictures with a Symbols and Letter(s)
  • String of Letters (mainly consonants) – THBR – ex: The ball is red.
  • Writing Basic Words – ex: cat, water, said, hot
  • Simple Sentences – ex: The boy ran.
  • Extended Sentences – ex: The boy ran laps around the track after school.
  • Paragraphs
  • Extended Responses/Essays
  • Research Papers
 
Cranston Public School Videos
Text-based discussion with various opportunities to write
Reading multiple texts on the same topic
Projects, presentations, performances
Models of graphic organizers for different writing genres
Learn different text structures of different genres
 
Home Activities
Opportunities to read and write at home
Keep a journal to draw and write
Makeup oral stories together – each takes a turn adding a sentence to the story
Adding words to a sentence to provide as much detail or information
Review written work at home and provide feedback
Practice presentations
 
Writing Resources 
Sequence Map
Fictional Story Map – Setting, Character, Problem/Resolution, End
Concept Map
Cause and Effect Map
Classification Map
Compare/Contrast Diagram
Pro/Con T Chart
Painted Essay Format
For additional information, please contact your child's classroom teacher.