In this post I will be discussing a little bit about the writing strand, some activities to try with students and strategies to consider when creating lessons for students. As well, I have posted some great apps to improve the foundations of student writing that you can start using in the classroom right away.
Differentiated Instruction
Any good educator understands the importance of differentiated instruction – not one student learns in the exact same ways as another; thus, teachers need to ensure the ways they deliver lessons and assess students accommodate to these needs. In the writing strand, differentiated instruction ensures educators are offering the most accommodating strategies in order to receive the highest level of learning and comprehension from students. There are many apps that exist that can help students who struggle with writing – whether that be grammar, organizing chaotic ideas, editing and creating new ideas. One of the overall writing expectations for grade 8 students is to be able to “draft and revise their writing, using a variety of informational, literary, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience” (pg. 144). The apps suggested below offer various strategies to help students achieve this expectation. - Popplet – A great resource that acts as an online graphic organizer to help organize students’ thoughts, ideas and potential action plan. This is a very beneficial tool for students who need extra prompts that visually help them organize their ideas and thoughts, giving them structure to begin their writing piece. Chick here to check this app out!
- Writing Challenge – This is a great way to generate ideas from students who struggle to start writing or think creatively. This app offers various writing prompts that spark inspiration for storytelling and narratives. This engages students and helps spark creativity in new, fun and interesting ways. Click here to check out this awesome app!
- Practice English Grammar – This is a great app that focusses on all areas of grammar – there are video tutorials, practice exercises and many engaging grammar games. It includes a diagnostic test for students to gauge an understanding of what their strengths and weaknesses are. Kayla Matthews claims that this app will help students to “become a better communicator with instant feedback on your progress” (Matthews, 2015). Click here if you want to download this app!
In my 7/8 placement, my AT always allows the use of technology when addressing most writing activities. While it is imperative that students learn how to write and perfect this skill, technology is slowly becoming more universal in Western areas. Thus, she allows her students who struggle with writing to use the class Chrome books when submitting an assignment that most students would hand write. For these 2 modified students, writing slows their thinking process down and is challenging; thus, she allows them to type out their thoughts instead of getting overwhelmed trying to both think and write.
The Creativity of Writing
Hearing students’ creativity shine through their writing is one of my favourite parts of literacy – especially at the intermediate age, where the ideas and emotions behind students’ writing is often very powerful and meaningful. While learning how to write expository pieces and essays are essential, I find there lies great value in creative writing, free-write, poetry and story-telling. These aspects of writing should not be overlooked, as they allow students to express emotion, thoughts, opinions and creativity. As educators, these forms of writing assessments act as a great way to get to know our students on a personal level, and discover value in their ways of thinking.
A valuable resource that offers many creative writing prompts is from the “National Writing Project.” Check out this site if you want to look at 30 ideas for teaching writing that various teachers have thought of as successful in their practice. I really like the first prompt – “Use the shared events of students’ lives to inspire writing” because great writing is more purposeful if the students have a connection to it, as well, it helps to foster meaningful relationships between classmates and teacher. As well, I would use “Ease into writing workshops by presenting yourself as a model” because students are more willing to open up and share their work if you allow students to first critique you. As well, being transparent with students helps to build meaningful relationships with them, as they can see your flaws and imperfections.
As stated in the Ontario Language Curriculum, there are so many forms of writing students in grade 8 should become confident in:
- "write complex texts of a variety of lengths using a wide range of forms"
- "establish a distinctive voice in their writing appropriate to the subject and audience"
- "regularly use vivid and/or figurative language and innovative expressions in their writing"
These specific expectations can all be addressed using any of the given writing prompts suggested by the National Writing Project! Students can have a different task each day, new prompts and new strategies to showcase their best writing!
Be sure to check these apps and sites out as they are great resources for improving student writing. Thanks for reading everyone, that's all for today!
Cheers,
Madeleine
Madeleine
References:
National Writing Project (2018). 30 ideas for teaching writing. Retrieved from https://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/922
Matthews, Kayla (2014). 7 apps to help anyone improve their grammar. Retrieved from https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-apps-help-anyone-improve-english-grammar/
Ministry of Ontario (2006). The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 Language (Revised).Toronto, Ontario: Queen’s Printer.
Images:
https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/03/09/pd-lead-better-student-writing/
http://www.thebitsofbrit.com/tag/popplet/
https://www.figur8.net/2016/05/27/writing-resources-to-encourage-the-reluctant-writer/
https://www.axact.com/business-units/creative-writing/
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