Children Learn to Write By Writing
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” — E. L. Doctorow
As an elementary teacher, teaching writing was not something I enjoyed. It was a cumbersome process and teaching 2nd graders how to write, was painfully difficult at times. It seemed that the same handful of students were always running up and asking me to reread the last sentence they wrote. I realize they needed constant affirmation but it was draining trying to build their confidence until… I saw another teacher use a brilliant technique. This teacher used guided writing groups for students that needed more support. After the writing mini-lesson, the teacher would bring a small group of approximately six students to the kidney table. The teacher would meet with the students and get them started by adding a little more direction, encouragement and support to bolster their confidence. The expectations were that the students had to stay at the table and write and that the teacher would come back and check in after 10 minutes or so. This allowed the teacher to meet with other students and help them. This method turned a rather frustrating time for me as a teacher into an enjoyable time where I felt like I was able to meet the needs of more students.
When I was a literacy coach for Minneapolis Public Schools, on Fridays the district coaches got together for professional development. That was one of the best years of my career. One Friday one of the coaches that was a published author, did a presentation on writing. She began by asking a couple questions. The first was, how many feel like you are a good writer? Out of the 50 coaches, only a couple hands went up. The next question was, how many like to teach writing? Basically the same couple of hands went up. The presenters conclusion was, if you don’t think you are a good writer, you don’t feel confident in your ability to teach writing. Since that example, I have asked many teacher groups the same two questions and gotten similar results. If we as adults, do not feel confident in our abilities as writers, how will we feel confident in our ability to teach children how to enjoy writing and be confident in their abilities?
I have done a lot of thinking about writing since that experience. What I believe is everyone deserves the opportunity to learn to write well. The only way that will occur is if they have time to write and practice. If you are a teacher, I challenge you to take a look at the amount of time your students are writing and learning to write. Make sure you are providing every opportunity they deserve. If you are a parent, how are you encouraging your children to grow as writers? Make sure they have necessary materials, paper and pens or pencils. Then sit back and watch their confidence and ability grow!
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“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”
― Frederick Douglass
The joy is in the journey!
Blessings and Peace,
Mary
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