Teaching+Writing

=**Teaching Writing** =

__Teaching Strategies__
To help develop children's abilities and confidence to write, teachers use a step by step writing process. The process is divided up into four parts and at the beginning the teacher provides a large amount of guidance and support. By the last part of the process the child has independence with their writing and the teacher will give support when necessary. Stages of teaching writing process:
 * 1) Modeling Writing
 * 2) Shared Writing
 * 3) Guided Writing
 * 4) Independent Writing

When children reach the guided reading and independent writing stage, the teacher may involve children in a writing conference to help them improve their writing.

__Modeling Writing__

 * To start the modeling process, a teacher would select an appropriate text that is relevant to the current needs of the child and their development.
 * The teacher attaches a piece of paper on the board or alternatively use a whiteboard to demonstrate the technique of writing.
 * The thinking process involved in a selected aspect of writing is then delivered to the children in an explicit way. The teacher models the process by speaking out loud in a clear voice and demonstrates actions on the board. This helps the children cement the concept of the writing process in their heads.
 * A key aspect of writing techniques that a teacher focuses on is spelling, syntax and punctuation.



__Shared Writing__

 * The process of shared writing allows children to participate in the activity
 * The teacher takes control by holding the pen and encourages children to contribute ideas for writing. In some instances, the teacher may give a child some control by giving them a pen to write down ideas and this makes the activity more interactive. The teacher would write part of a sentence down and would have a child step in to write the next word or sentence. This can be beneficial as the teacher and children share the planning and decision making together and it provides support and confidence for each child.
 * In shared writing the composing process involves: preparation time, where and how ideas are gathered and selected, organising ideas, drafting, proof reading and publishing.



__Guided Writing__

 * In guided writing the teacher prepares a writing focus based on the needs and capabilities of students
 * The teacher conducts a mini-lesson for approximately 10 minutes to discuss the writing focus and then students either work individually or are divided up into pairs or small groups.
 * As the children work, they are encouraged to begin to write. Their task may be new or it may be a continuation of work that was previously started but not finished.
 * The teacher would move round the room, giving assistance and guidance to any students that require help.
 * After the children finish there may be an opportunity for children to share the work they have done.



__Independent Writing__

 * In independent writing, a teacher would either choose a topic for the class to complete writing on or children would be given the opportunity to choose a topic for themselves.
 * The children would write independently.