Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Blog 8
Some parents are overly concerned about the mechanics of their children's writing. Writing isn't all about readable handwriting and correct spelling. Writing is a form of communication, and as long as young children are doing some sort of communicating through their writing, then they are on the right track. Writing is about being able to express what is in a child's brain on paper. The very first time I asked my case study student to write, she mainly drew pictures. She then was very eager to talk about her pictures and I learned a lot through those pictures. After I read to her, I have her draw pictures of the setting and characters. It is a good way for me to test her comprehension. In the weeks to follow, I plan on working more on writing with her, but pictures were a great first start for her. I think drawing is a great first step to anyone's writing career.
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Amy, I completely agree that many parents, and even some teachers, are too focused on the mechanics of writing rather than the student's being able to express their ideas. It's so interesting that students can draw a picture and then just talk and talk about what they picture represents to them, much like your case study had done. My case study student is in 5th grade and even he has added in drawings to his writing responses as a way to better express his thoughts and ideas. I definitely agree that writing is about being able to express what is in a child's brain on paper, and that doesn't always have to mean putting words on paper to express their thoughts.
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