Writing and Literacy Development

ECE 358 Created by Stephen Garretson

Edited by Josh Thompson

2004

Early Writing

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

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

Children learn the uses of written language before they learn the forms.

What shows us this?

Early Writing

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

Early Writing

Children’s involvement in written language, though typically embedded in social situations and interactions, is essentially self-initiated and self-directed.

In writing, as in talking, story making is a primary impulse and activity.

Early Writing

Children learn about writing through direction from teachers, by observing others more skilled than themselves, and by participating with others in literacy events.

What does this tell us about our roles in the lives of young children?

Early Writing

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

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

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

Come up with a list of activities to promote writing development.

Process and Product

Types of writing

Shared Writing Teacher writes as students give ideas

and input, and then shares the pen with children 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

Language Experience Approach Write what they say exactly

Group writing- Teacher dictates and serves as a model.

Types of writing

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

Types of books

Writer’s Workshop

Critical to your classroom Management is the key. Children choose their topics Steps

Minilessons Model brainstorming Model ideas Model mistakes Model editing, revision, publishing

Minilesson

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

Writer’s workshop

Revising Adding to your story You have to reread

Editing Ask three before me Teacher conference time Make editing charts

Ongoing Process

Writer’s workshop

Publishing DO NOT PUBLISH EVERY PIECE DO NOT START PUBLISHING UNTIL

EVERYONE HAS A READABLE STORY SHARE PUBLICATIONS

Writer’s workshop

Author’s Chair Make it fun Give feedback, not just you but the kids

as well.

Focused Writing

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

Supplies

Plenty of paper Writing utensils Graphic Organizers Samples Magnetic letters

Other types of writing

Research- critical starting at a young age QUAD- questions, answers and details

Response Logs Journals

Types 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

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.