Writing is very important. Unfortunately students often dread writing in school. The writing process can be overwhelming and difficult even for the most able students. We spend a log of time teaching the types of writing and forms of writing. Sticking to essays and traditional stories. I do believe that it is important to teach the writing process, but in elementary school I hear too many groans from children.
Children have lots to say and write about. I know this is true because I spend my mornings at breakfast duty hearing tale after tale from all ages of yarn spinners. The breakdown in the writing is when they have to get their ideas on paper. Paper seems to suck away all creative thought for children. How can we change this?
The reason for writing must be stronger that just because the teacher assigned the work. I am no different. I write this blog because it is exciting to see how many people will read it during the week. Unfortunately I do not yet have my students blogging. There are restrictions for putting students’ work on the web. I will be working on this problem over the summer. In the mean time I want to share some ways I have found to keep motivation high through the writing process.
The most important way to get students motivated to write is by using a real purpose. If students are learning to write a persuasive essay, have students write to the principal to get something changed. Work with the principal to find a topic that students can address so change is made and they feel empowered. This has worked in my building.
Another motivator is to very the end product. I find if students are always asked to write a paragraph or a 5-paragraph essay they lose interest quickly. They write the draft and do very little revising. I believe the most important part of the writing process is the revising because that is were students can see their own growth. I have some web2.0 sites that offer ways to break the paragraph patterns a little to create a wonderful published piece of writing.
Children have lots to say and write about. I know this is true because I spend my mornings at breakfast duty hearing tale after tale from all ages of yarn spinners. The breakdown in the writing is when they have to get their ideas on paper. Paper seems to suck away all creative thought for children. How can we change this?
The reason for writing must be stronger that just because the teacher assigned the work. I am no different. I write this blog because it is exciting to see how many people will read it during the week. Unfortunately I do not yet have my students blogging. There are restrictions for putting students’ work on the web. I will be working on this problem over the summer. In the mean time I want to share some ways I have found to keep motivation high through the writing process.
The most important way to get students motivated to write is by using a real purpose. If students are learning to write a persuasive essay, have students write to the principal to get something changed. Work with the principal to find a topic that students can address so change is made and they feel empowered. This has worked in my building.
Another motivator is to very the end product. I find if students are always asked to write a paragraph or a 5-paragraph essay they lose interest quickly. They write the draft and do very little revising. I believe the most important part of the writing process is the revising because that is were students can see their own growth. I have some web2.0 sites that offer ways to break the paragraph patterns a little to create a wonderful published piece of writing.
Read*Write*Think had some of the best interactive publishing resources.
Graphic novels are also popular with children. Makebeliefscomix.com is an easy way for students to create their own original stories.
There are also a couple of websites I would love to try with my students.
Bookr is a site that allows you to upload pictures and add text. The pages turn like a real book.
Writing Fun makes the planning part of the writing easier.
Enjoy bringing some fun to writing.
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I totally agree with you about the impact of Web 2.0 on student writing. Several of my colleagues have successful class blogs, and one of my projects for the summer is incorporating blogging into my units. I'm still working out the logistics, but I found an ebook at http://www.dedicatedteacher.com called "Blogging in the Classroom" that has been a big help to me in getting ready. Blogging is a simple way to promote discussion and publish student work, in an online environment that students are comfortable in, and I'm expecting it to be a great tool in my classes. Fortunately, I haven't encountered the legal hurdles that you have. Great post and good luck with the blog!
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ReplyDeletei hope you get to find a way to motivate your students into writing. i remember back in college when a professor asked us to make a communication blog based on our course. unfortunately, because it was imposed a lot of us felt forced and lost interest. i think it would be great if you just ask them to blog and let them decide what to write about. give them an exercise to gain inspiration. goodluck!
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