Developing writers while they are young becomes important to their future as writers. It also helps students to become quality communicators. Writing is a difficult skill to learn. However, it is part of everyone’s daily life. A student’s adult success depends on oral and written expression.
Regardless of writing by hand or on the computer, assignments and tests require answers to be written. Writing develops critical thinkers. Writing helps students become better readers.
Developing Writers Strategies
It’s important to give students instructional time to learn skills in writing. They also need time to practice skills and to write. Choose time to write during core subject areas. Students can write science entries, observation entries, summaries from stories, etc. Integrating time to write with other content areas gives students a chance to think critically about content area material.
Documenting ideas is part of writing. However, writing involves more than thinking and writing about subject areas. Students need to plan what to write and understand how to put the words on paper so the reader comprehends what the writer conveys. Skills from the components of the writing process include planning, drafting, sharing, evaluating, revising, and editing.
Students must be good writers to do well on exams and assignments. They need to practice writing as often as possible to develop skills. First, encourage reading. Reading gives students new vocabulary. It also exposes students to various ways of expressing thoughts.
Do not begin writing with a blank paper. A blank page is intimidating to beginning writers. A story starter or a question is helpful in provoking thoughts. Brainstorming as a group provides many thoughts for students to write. Once students have thoughts or a starter idea, begin a plan or an outline for a draft. Encouraging free writing of their thoughts is important. Revising comes later.
Putting ideas down on paper lets students learn to organize their thoughts. They need not worry about writing the perfect sentence or writing a perfect draft at first.
Valued Good Writing
Students need to understand the importance of clear writing. However, do not make demands on their skills. Students gain skills at different levels of their development. Rewarding or penalizing writers on the quality of their work does not create good writers. Students should share ideas and writings and revise as needed.
Writing is important to include in the classroom lessons. Teachers play a major role in developing students to be good writers. Writing gives students the ability to share important messages through their words.
