Process Writing Developmental Stages of Writing Writing Process Balanced Writing Instruction for the Emergent / Progressing Writer Presented by: Natalie Meek and Melissa Vandermeer Designed and Developed by Belinda Cini and Melissa Vandermeer for Rockets Fern Bluff Elementary, Round Rock ISD, 2000

Developmental Stages of Writing Based on the Work of Richard Gentry Scribbling (Precommunicative) Students make a random assortment of marks on their paper. Marks can be large, circular, random, and resemble drawing.

Developmental Stages continued... Letter - like Symbols (Precommunicative) Students use letter-like forms, sometimes randomly placed and interspersed with numbers.

Developmental Stages continued... String of Letters (Precommunicative) Students write with some legible letters, usually all capitals. They do not have appropriate letter/sound matching and often have not begun spacing.

Developmental Stages continued... Semiphonetic Students will begin writing with appropriate letter/sound matching. At first, they will usually write just the beginning sounds of words. Then they will move to using ending sounds and finally medial sounds. Spacing between words is usually evident at this stage.

Developmental Stages continued... Phonetic Students write with appropriate letter/sound matching for all audible phonemes in each word. Some sight words may be spelled correctly.

Developmental Stages continued... Transitional Invented spellings are interspersed with standard spellings. The writing is readable and approaches conventional spelling. Students may stay at this stage for years.

Developmental Stages continued... Conventional (Standard) Students can spell almost all words correctly and have developed an understanding of root words, compound words, contractions, and spelling patterns.

The Writing Process Prewriting/Planning Drafting Revising Proofreading Publishing/Sharing

The Writing Process continued... Prewriting/Planning choose topic determine the audience decide on a graphic organizer find, select, and order information

The Writing Process continued... Drafting follow your plan write; put thoughts down on paper read over your writing as you go

The Writing Process continued... Revising make your story sound better read your stories to others; do they have questions? think about what others said change your story to clarify meaning reshape, recraft, remold

The Writing Process continued... Proofreading / Editing make your writing look right check spelling check capitalization check punctuation check usage

The Writing Process continued... Publishing / Sharing select a title decide on a publishing product rewrite piece or have someone rewrite for you illustrate share your writing

Balanced Writing Instruction Writing To The teacher models the writing process by writing and “thinking aloud” in front of the students.

Balanced Writing continued... Writing With The teacher provides support and guidance for new learning in writing through: Shared writing - Students and teacher compose a written piece together, with the teacher writing in front of the students. Interactive writing - Same as shared writing, except the students and teacher “share the pen.” Guided writing - The child does the writing while receiving support from the teacher and/or other students.

Balanced Writing continued... Independent Writing Students have many opportunities to write on their own, both free choice and teacher-directed.

Writing in the Classroom Writing Workshop Students are engaged in the writing process during this daily 45-minute writing block. After a teacher write-to and/or mini-lesson, students work independently in their draft books on self-chosen topics. The teacher roves to provide quick assistance or redirection and holds individual conferences to work with each student at their point of need. Individualized expectations are set so that instruction is developmentally appropriate and each child is held accountable for their own learning.

Writing in the Classroom continued... Writing Workshop

Writing in the Classroom continued... Writing in the Content Areas Students write within defined parameters or to answer a teacher-given prompt. The focus is on using writing to effectively communicate understandings and information.

Suggestions for Working With Your Child 1. Provide your child with a home draft book or writing journal. 2. Set up a writing box with various writing and publishing materials. 3. Set up a home bulletin board or mailbox for exchanging notes and messages. 4. Find a family friend or relative to exchange letters or with your child. 5. Assist your child in using the sound card when writing at home.

Suggestions continued Provide a spacing tool and work with your child on spacing between rules. 7. Assist your child in “stretching out” words. 8. Have your child practice writing and spelling word wall words (sight words) and hold them accountable for correct spelling of these words in other writing. 9. Dictate 1-2 sentences for your child to write. 10. Help your child to write stories that continue over time. Guide them through the writing process and expect them to do their best.

Suggestions continued Write add-on stories with your child. 12. Hold written conversations with your child. 13. Share books and have your child write innovations on text. 14. Help your child to write in various genres.