Writing Essentials- Chapter 5: Do More Shared Writing

Shared writing is an important part of teaching how to be a writer. It is that vital stage where struggling learners can shine. They feel safe in their skills because they are sharing the power with the teacher. This part of writing is especially crucial for English Language Learners as well as the struggling writer because it helps to provide them with rich oral language.



Interactive writing is part of shared writing in the fact that the teacher and student share the writing tools. It is best used in small groups or with individual teaching rather than as a whole class. When choosing the framework for shared writing, the teacher needs to make sure to keep the pace lively and engaging. Otherwise, we will lose writers in the process of trying to help them. Focus on the content of the message and providing the reader with an interesting, meaningful thought.


If you teach in the primary grades, a great activity to use to help students learn how language works is to cut apart and reassemble sentences. Let kids play with words, sentences, and language. There are many neat ways to do these activities of working with words. I especially liked an idea my fellow colleague shared with me from this blog: Repurposing Duplo Blocks: http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/07/diy-spinny-spellers-and-repurposing.html. I now have a purpose for searching at garage sales this summer! What ideas do you have to add or what do you use in your classroom?

(Pictures courtesy of: http://www.filthwizardry.com/)

 Some questions to ponder about this chapter:


• Am I explicit at my teaching when I need to be and with the right students that need it?


• Do I let my students have enough time to “play” with their language?


• How do I teach shared writing in my classroom? What scaffolding do I give to my struggling learners so they can “shine”?