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Writing

Writing is the activity of composing coherent thoughts on paper or via word processing.  

The first step of the writing process is to brainstorm ideas. Brainstorming ideas is when you think of different ideas to write about. The second step is to create your first rough draft. This is the first version of what you write. Third, you revise the rough draft. You make improvements and changes. Then fourthly, you create a second draft based on those revisions. Fifthly, you edit this second draft by proofreading. This is where grammatical errors are corrected. Then you publish or submit the final copy. Finally, you evaluate the work you have done. This is to judge the value or the condition of your work (Bendix, n.d.f). There are six primary writing genres. These are personal narrative, argumentative/persuasive, informational, narrative, poetry, and research writing (Bendix, n.d.e). 

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The six traits of writing are as follows: ideas, word choice, organization, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions. Ideas are the main message of what you are writing. Word choice is the vocabulary that is used while writing the ideas. Organization is the structure of what is written. Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language. Voice is the author’s personal tone. Conventions are the mechanical correctness (Bendix, n.d.f).  

 

The four P’s of handwriting instruction are posture, paper, pencil grip, and placement (Teaching Tips, 2019). Using a multisensory approach is a great way to teach handwriting. Allow students to use different materials to practice handwriting such as chalkboards, different textures of paper, or sensory bags (Morin, 2022). In the primary grades posture and grip are important foundational skills. Ensure that students have proper posture by providing the proper sized chairs and desks. Make sure that children are sitting with their feet flat on the floor. Teach students to hold their pencils correctly and model proper pencil grasp (Teaching Tips, 2019).  

Artifact

(Bendix, n.d.a)

Applications

Writing Challenge for Kids
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This application provides prompts for students to use for writing. I would use this application to encourage students to come up with creative ideas for writing.  

This is My Story (And I'm Sticking to It)
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This application helps students with sentence structure. Students create their own storybooks using this app.

Shake-a-Phrase
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This application provides writing prompts for students and vocabulary exercises. I would use this application to encourage students to come up with creative ideas for writing and to work on expanding their vocabularies.  

Website 

Creative Writing Prompts 

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Link: http://www.uniqueteachingresources.com/creative-writing-prompts.html 

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This is a website that offers writing prompts for teachers. I would use this website to get prompts for my students to write about.  

Intermediate Strategies & Activities

"The Rock"

Focus Skill: Ideas 
Age and Reading Level: Intermediate  
Description: Each student brings a rock to class. Students pair up and talk about their rocks. Then they write what they have talked about.  
Materials: 

  • Rocks (1 per student) 

  • Lined Paper  

  • Pencils  

Steps for Instruction: 

  1. Students are instructed to bring a rock to class. 

  2. Students are paired up and take one minute each to talk about their rocks.  

  3. After students have finished talking, students take two minutes to write about what they have discussed.  

  4. Students share what they have written in small or large groups.  

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(Bendix, n.d.c)

Using Pictures

Focus Skill: Ideas  
Age and Reading Level: Intermediate  
Description: Give students pictures to help spark ideas of what to write about.  
Materials: 

  • Pictures 

  • Lined Paper 

  • Pencils  

Steps for Instruction: 

  1. Give students pictures to help spark ideas of what to write about.  

  2. Students follow the writing process to complete their writing.  

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(Bendix, n.d.b)

Read Two Versions of the Same Story

Focus Skill: Voice  
Age and Reading Level: Intermediate  
Description: Students will listen to or read two versions of the same story. Students will compare the differences in authors’ voices throughout the story.  
Materials: 

Steps for Instruction: 

  1. Read aloud or have students independently read two different versions of the same story.  

  2. Students compare the two versions of the story on a Venn diagram template.  

  3. Discuss voice in writing and how different authors write the same story differently

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(Bendix, n.d.g)

Graphic Organizers

Focus Skill: Organization  
Age and Reading Level: Intermediate  
Description: Students use graphic organizers to organize their writing.  
Materials: 

Steps for Instruction: 

  1. Allow students to choose a graphic organizer that fits their interests and needs.  

  2. Students complete the graphic organizer prior to writing to help with organization.  

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(Bendix, n.d.d)

Writing Prompts

Focus Skill: Writing  
Age and Reading Level: Intermediate  
Description: Provide students with a writing prompt to help them get started on their writing.  
Materials: 

  • Writing Prompt  

  • Lined Paper  

  • Pencils  

Steps for Instruction: 

  1. Give students the choice between a few different writing prompts.  

  2. Students follow the writing process to complete their writing.  

Assessment

Title: 6+1 Trait Rubric  

Time Needed: 15 Minutes  

Skills Being Assessed: Writing 

Materials:  

Steps to Administer:  

  1. Instruct the student in all parts of the writing process.  

  2. The student writes a sample piece using the writing process.  

  3. The teacher uses the approved 6+1 trait rubric to assess the student’s writing.  

Resources

Bendix, J. (n.d.a) Editing Checklist. Winona; D2L.  

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Bendix, J. (n.d.b) Ideas. Winona; D2L.  

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Bendix, J. (n.d.c) Ideas Activities. Winona; D2L. 

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Bendix, J. (n.d.d) Organization. Winona; D2L.  

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Bendix, J. (n.d.e) U5 D1 Writing [PowerPoint slides]. College of Education, Winona State University. https://winona.learn.minnstate.edu/d2l/le/content/5932651/viewContent/56754942/View  

 

Bendix, J. (n.d.f). Unit 5 Vocabulary. Winona; D2L.  

 

Bendix, J. (n.d.g) Voice. Winona; D2L.  

 

Education Northwest. (2021). 6+1 Trait Writing Rubrics.  

 

Morin, A. (2022, August 12). 6 multisensory techniques for teaching handwriting. Understood. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-multisensory-techniques-for-teaching-handwriting  

 

Teaching Tips: The 4 Ps of Handwriting Instruction. Learning Without Tears. (2019, September 9). Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.lwtears.com/blog/teaching-tips-4-ps-handwriting-instruction  

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