Best Writing Practices

Ennovy PachecoKenterra HaynesMegan Fitzparick

Melba ValdresNadeen Brown

July 8, 2013Jessica Carloni

Summary of ArticlesEnnovyIn this article teachers test the ability of enhancing the ELL students to achieve better writing skills by the integration of technology into the lesson. They used Project based learning to create products by the end of the lesson. It is to give a real world concept to student work. Technology is used as a means of creating a final draft of the product. By providing students with a classroom conductive to learning for a long term benefits not just right now with practices like time and opportunity to write, a reason for writing, a genuine audience, access to role models, a safe environment, useful feedback, and a sense of community (Fougler, 2007). Although these are skills are focused in the article for ELL students I have found that my students react in a positive manner to this same skills.

KenterraThis article interviewed fourth grade teachers on the writing approach an how it had an influence on their instruction. Through this study showed that writer’s workshop and traditional skills instruction still occur but a new trend in writing instruction has occurred as well.

MelbaBitchener, Young, & Cameron (2005) study investigated the extent to which different types of feedback (written

and conference) on three targeted error categories (used of preposition, past simple tense, and definite article)

helped L2 writers improve the accuracy of their use in new pieces of writing.

NadeenLacina and Block 2012) discusses the issue of writing in schools

as they believe that there is a “need to better understand writing practices at the upper elementary through middle school levels across the US.” (Lacina & Block, 2012). They

wanted to empower leaders’ and school teachers’ on improving writing instruction as a process for change. Based on

information from previous research, it has shown that the writing process should entail scaffolding of the teaching of

writing, using literature as a model for writing, using a process-based approach, teaching writing within the content areas, and teaching reading and writing using the new literacy’s. (Lacina

7 Block, 2012).

MeganThis article uses three people to

explain the process of writing. Three different people are highlighted to inform the reader; a former high

school teacher preparing for doctoral candidacy, a doctoral student interested in research/writing

practices and a university supervisor for teacher education preservice

students. Each person explores and explains the writing process from

their perspective and offers insight into their own writing processes and

how that translates into the classroom

Ennovy’sBest Practices

•Preplanning Sheet – it allows students to brainstorm about the topic

•RAFT- Role Audience Format and Topic- allows students to use what they know •Journal writing or double entry journal- students are asked to reflect on a topic to build background and activate the thinking process

•Read aloud and analyze- students are read to and must reflect on it

•Technology is used a reference and research tool

Kenterra’sBest Practices

•Minimize lecture

•Allow small group work

•Motivate children to write about topics they chose

•Encourage a social dimension

Megan’sBest Practices

•Brainstorm – allowing students to brainstorm ideas with each other or with the teacher allows them to be invested in what they are writing. They feel that they are part of the writing process when they are playing an active role in deciding what to write about

•Drafting/Peer Editing – after writing begins, keeping students engaged can be difficult. Having students sharing their drafts with other students in the classroom allows for peers to engage with each other. It also allows for students to edit if necessary or help another student along who may be struggling with the “just right” wording of an idea.

•Encourage – teachers should encourage students to be active writers. Writing in a journal, writing for a grade, writing to imitate authors are all ways that we can encourage students to engage in writing

Melba’sBest Practices By Charles Whitaker, PH.D.

•Establish a positive atmosphere for writing, reading, and learning.•Organize for writing. •Arrange for meaningful-to-students reasons to write.•Arrange for students to read, respond to, and use a variety of materials written for a variety of purposes and audiences.•Write regularly across the curriculum and grade levels.•Arrange for students to have constructive response to their writing and to offer response to other writers (classmates, teacher, others).•Provide opportunities for students to collaborate as writers, thinkers, learners.•Conduct mini-lessons on writing.

Nadeen’sBest Practices

•Introduce students to the 6 traits of writing

•Gradually teach students strategies for planning, revising, and editing their writing.

•Include journal/writer's notebooks into classroom activities.

•Incorporate technology (allow students to see and hear their favorite author talking about writing).

•Implement wikis or blogs.

REFERENCES• Bitchener, J., Young, S., & Cameron, D.(2005).The effect of different types of corrective

feedback on ESL student writing. Journal of Second Language Writing. 14. 191-205.

• Foulger, T. S., & Jimenez-Silva, M. (2007). Enhancing the writing development of english language learners: Teacher perceptions of common technology in project-based learning. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 22(2), 109-124. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203890324?accountid=458

• Innovative writing instruction. (2009). English Journal, 98(5), 103-107. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/237315884?accountid=458

• Lacina, J., & Block, C. C. (2012). Progressive writing instruction: Empowering school leaders and teachers. Voices from the Middle, 19(3), 10-17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/

• McCarthey, S. J., & Sun, Y. (2011, October-December). Approaches to Writing Instruction. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 6(4), 273-294.

• Whitaker, C. (2013). Best Practices in Teaching Writing. Retrieved fromhttp://www.learner.org/workshops/middlewriting/images/pdf/HomeBestPrac.pdf