Best Practices in Writing Instruction

Chapter One – Best Practices in Writing Instruction

Writing in effective classrooms is most importantly involving engaged students.  The students are interested and enthusiastic in what they are composing. Writing in effective classrooms also includes relevant and creative instruction. In the Chapter you will see how one school incorporateda mailbox systemeiluded may classrooms designing thier own address as well as zip code.  This is a great inspiring way to include writing!  Writing in effective classrooms also includes planning, drafting, editing,a nd publishing.  These are effective stages to create good writers.  One of the most important parts in effective writing is presented student work. A bragging board of some sort for the children.  This shows that you are not only proud but that they have completed something meaningful!

Classrooms with meaningful and relevant writing instruction are full of creative and fun materials.  For example, I like to use centers in my room.  There are areas constructed for children to compose and write.  In these areas, there are many types of materials from magazines to posters and even menus.  There are also books created by the children and plenty of spurring art work for them to focus on. 

While I a some things that I have used in my own classroom, I was disappointed in myself to find that there are other areas in which I am lacking.  I need to improve on my writing instruction and have always felt that was an area in which I struggled.  I think we all like to think that we are covering all our bases but I am afraid that I have dropped the ball here.  It was interesting that I should read this chapter tonight because I just finished grading my writing assessments for the second quarter.  The scores my children are getting do not leave me feeling successful.  I am excited and was given some beginning ideas about how I can change that!  This makes me happy but I also realize how much work needs to be done on my part!