Writing and Literacy Development ECE 358 Created by

Writing and Literacy Development ECE 358 Created by Stephen Garretson Edited by Josh Thompson 2004

Early Writing n n n Ways writing is acquired Children’s early literacy experiences are embedded in the familiar simulations and real-life experiences of family and community membership. How is this true? Give examples.

Early Writing n As a process, early writing development is characterized by children’s moving from playfully making marks on paper to communicating messages on paper, to creating texts – symbolic representation.

Early Writing n n Children learn the uses of written language before they learn the forms. What shows us this?

Early Writing n Children’s writing develops through constant invention and reinvention of the forms of written language.

Early Writing n Children’s involvement in written language, though typically embedded in social situations and interactions, is essentially self-initiated and selfdirected. n In writing, as in talking, story making is a primary impulse and activity.

Early Writing n Children learn about writing through direction from teachers, by observing others more skilled than themselves, and by participating with others in literacy events. n What does this tell us about our roles in the lives of young children?

Early Writing n Children need to work independently on the functions and form of writing that they have experienced through interactions with literate others. ¡ Children practice what they learn about writing, which is best when self-initiated.

Theory n n n Literacy Development is part of language development Language development is part of symbol development Symbol development is part of the development of social and cultural meanings

Writing Development n n n Examine writings from children. What stage are they in? How do you know? What environment has to be created to encourage this type of production from a 5 year old? What can you take away from this to improve your understanding of what children can do?

Objectives for Writing n Come up with a list of activities to promote writing development. n Process and Product

Types of writing n Shared Writing ¡ Teacher writes as students give ideas and input, and then shares the pen with children n n Morning Message- modeling Class stories Brainstorming sessions Come up with other ways to incorporate shared writing into the class. Be creative and span across the curriculum areas.

Types of writing n Language Experience Approach ¡ n Write what they say exactly Group writing- Teacher dictates and serves as a model.

Types of writing n Independent writing ¡ ¡ Writing center and writing in centers Design a center and look at how you can incorporate writing into that center. What materials do you need?

Making Books with children n Types of books

Writer’s Workshop n n Critical to your classroom Management is the key. Children choose their topics Steps ¡ Minilessons n n Model brainstorming Model ideas Model mistakes Model editing, revision, publishing

Minilesson n Drafting¡ ¡ ¡ Children write Skip lines Take erasers away Mistakes help you see their thinking. It’s about the process

Writer’s workshop n Revising ¡ ¡ n Editing ¡ ¡ ¡ n Adding to your story You have to reread Ask three before me Teacher conference time Make editing charts Ongoing Process

Writer’s workshop n Publishing ¡ ¡ ¡ DO NOT PUBLISH EVERY PIECE DO NOT START PUBLISHING UNTIL EVERYONE HAS A READABLE STORY SHARE PUBLICATIONS

Writer’s workshop n Author’s Chair ¡ ¡ Make it fun Give feedback, not just you but the kids as well.

Focused Writing n Model and Demonstrate ¡ ¡ ¡ Letters Poems Paragraphs How to’s Not just a 5 paragraph format- That’s out

Supplies n n n Plenty of paper Writing utensils Graphic Organizers Samples Magnetic letters

Other types of writing n Research- critical starting at a young age ¡ n n QUAD- questions, answers and details Response Logs Journals ¡ Types n n Personal-private, not shared Dialogue- like private, but shared with teacher and peers Reading response- responses to what was read Learning logs-

Spelling and Punctuation n Children need to learn how to create letters correctly…how? When children begin writing…let them explore and make mistakes. When they feel comfortable…begin helping with punctuation and spelling.