The general theory of this resource is to build a solid foundation for all writing experiences to launch from. It is about taking the time to ensure children understand the structure and conventions behind writing and the need to be a self-aware writer who is fearless when it comes to creatively manipulating language in a playful manner to create the engagement required from the audience. Each experience isn’t about creating the perfect piece, it’s about discovering where you are and where you need to head next – it’s applying the knowledge you have learnt to create a message and attain purpose. Each piece is a step on the journey and to ensure the journey is successful, we want to create the following approach within the classroom:
As alluded to earlier, the facilitation of writing is a complex task for teachers to undertake. The secret to successful writing in the literacy classroom and across the curriculum comes down to the teacher’s understanding of and passion for writing. Over the years there have been many trends and theories on the most effective way to teach writing. There is no one method that works for all. Teachers must explore and find the methods that work best for the students in their classroom.
Simple Strategies: writing that works focuses on teaching writing skills in the context of student text construction. It builds composition from the sentence level to the text level. With careful planning and instruction, a detailed, creative and elaborative text can be formed through the development of students’ word level knowledge, understanding of how to manipulate the form of the sentence, and a structured approach to planning a cohesive text. Understanding how to provide opportunities to learn each skill and combine them is the key to unlocking powerful writing from within the classroom.
An analogy that is often used, is to compare writing to building a house. If you apply the Simple Strategies: writing that works methodology to this analogy, you begin to see a clear picture of how this step by step process works towards the end product.
- A strong literacy program looks to build users of language; children who are adept at adapting, being flexible and are creative & critical thinkers who can voice their thoughts and opinions through a variety of spoken and written language.
- This is built through an environment of personal connection, collaboration, research, sharing and feedback.
- To improve, children need daily opportunities, high expectations and effective feedback
As alluded to earlier, the facilitation of writing is a complex task for teachers to undertake. The secret to successful writing in the literacy classroom and across the curriculum comes down to the teacher’s understanding of and passion for writing. Over the years there have been many trends and theories on the most effective way to teach writing. There is no one method that works for all. Teachers must explore and find the methods that work best for the students in their classroom.
Simple Strategies: writing that works focuses on teaching writing skills in the context of student text construction. It builds composition from the sentence level to the text level. With careful planning and instruction, a detailed, creative and elaborative text can be formed through the development of students’ word level knowledge, understanding of how to manipulate the form of the sentence, and a structured approach to planning a cohesive text. Understanding how to provide opportunities to learn each skill and combine them is the key to unlocking powerful writing from within the classroom.
An analogy that is often used, is to compare writing to building a house. If you apply the Simple Strategies: writing that works methodology to this analogy, you begin to see a clear picture of how this step by step process works towards the end product.
Planning is the foundations of writing success. It is the groundwork that supports the text. In a house, the foundations are buried underground or beneath the house; they are not seen with the finished product. However, if you take the foundations away the house will collapse; likewise, a piece of writing without planning is likely to tumble.
The framework supports and shapes the house; just like the structure of the texts creates the direction that the writing will undertake. Text structure is designed to support the writer as they make their way through the writing process. It enables them to see if they are on track and if their writing is taking the shape required to meet its purpose and audience. The framework provides the guidance and supports the remainder of the construction.
The brickwork is the strength of the house; it’s what holds the house together and ensures the quality of the construction. Sentences are the key to writing. Having a deep understanding of how to use and manipulate sentences to achieve a purpose is the key to writing success. Sentences hold the writing together by making meaning and engaging the audience. Without strong sentences, the writing can be blown over with a puff of wind.
The facade is the finishing external touches on the outside of the house. The façade is essentially the dressing up and presentation of the house. Word choice and effective vocabulary or figurative devices add to the dressing up of writing which makes the writing effective and purposeful for the reader. Understanding and expanding word knowledge plays a significant role between having a solid, rigid text or creating a lavish, expensive and engaging piece of writing.
The roof provides the house with protection from the external elements; elements that can be harsh and devastating. If we want to protect our writing and shield it from outside elements, then writing needs to be revised and edited to ensure that it is ready to be viewed and presented to an audience in its strongest form.
A house is just an empty building, but a home is a place of warmth, joy and comfort. A house becomes a home when it is filled with love on the inside. The theme or message of a piece of writing is what turns a house into a home or in this case, from an ordinary text to one that impacts its audience.
This resource is designed to help students at any point in their writing journey. It is aimed to take them through the learning process where they build their knowledge (reading, writing conventions & developing writing) and begin to make meaning of the structures of written text and language (exploring) until they finally apply their understanding of these concepts and apply them to sophisticated pieces of writing (further techniques).
Simple Strategies: writing that works purpose is to provide a way for students to develop the different elements of text construction and then be able to combine them to create a complete piece of writing.
The framework supports and shapes the house; just like the structure of the texts creates the direction that the writing will undertake. Text structure is designed to support the writer as they make their way through the writing process. It enables them to see if they are on track and if their writing is taking the shape required to meet its purpose and audience. The framework provides the guidance and supports the remainder of the construction.
The brickwork is the strength of the house; it’s what holds the house together and ensures the quality of the construction. Sentences are the key to writing. Having a deep understanding of how to use and manipulate sentences to achieve a purpose is the key to writing success. Sentences hold the writing together by making meaning and engaging the audience. Without strong sentences, the writing can be blown over with a puff of wind.
The facade is the finishing external touches on the outside of the house. The façade is essentially the dressing up and presentation of the house. Word choice and effective vocabulary or figurative devices add to the dressing up of writing which makes the writing effective and purposeful for the reader. Understanding and expanding word knowledge plays a significant role between having a solid, rigid text or creating a lavish, expensive and engaging piece of writing.
The roof provides the house with protection from the external elements; elements that can be harsh and devastating. If we want to protect our writing and shield it from outside elements, then writing needs to be revised and edited to ensure that it is ready to be viewed and presented to an audience in its strongest form.
A house is just an empty building, but a home is a place of warmth, joy and comfort. A house becomes a home when it is filled with love on the inside. The theme or message of a piece of writing is what turns a house into a home or in this case, from an ordinary text to one that impacts its audience.
This resource is designed to help students at any point in their writing journey. It is aimed to take them through the learning process where they build their knowledge (reading, writing conventions & developing writing) and begin to make meaning of the structures of written text and language (exploring) until they finally apply their understanding of these concepts and apply them to sophisticated pieces of writing (further techniques).
Simple Strategies: writing that works purpose is to provide a way for students to develop the different elements of text construction and then be able to combine them to create a complete piece of writing.