Learning Focus
February 2021 | Focus: Writing
Writing- The Essential Skill
As educators we know that learning to write, and write well, is a critical academic and life skill. Knowing how to write well is not only important for success in school, but it is vital for "real world" success too. In today's wired world, through texts, emails, and posts, we communicate through the written word on a daily basis. Today's elementary and middle school students will one day enter the workforce and, regardless of the field they choose, will be asked to write in coherent, persuasive, and informative ways.
More than college and career readiness, writing helps with the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Writing can help children express their thinking, find their voice in the world, and work through real-life problems. By requiring young authors to consider audience and purpose, writing helps children connect to the world around them, both on and off the page. This month's Learning Focus looks to provide tips on how to focus our teaching and learning around this essential skill.
Why Students Should Write in All Subjects
Youki Terada in his Edutopia article, Why Students Should Write in All Subjects, dives into the latest research on why writing is such a beneficial activity. He discusses how writing improves learning by consolidating information in long-term memory. He also offers five engaging writing activities to be used in all subject areas.
Writing in the Elective Classes
There are several great ways to reinforce and strengthen writing skills in elective classes. Megan Deher offers 5 Ways to Bring Literacy into the Art Classroom, Sherry Sebesta provides her 9 Ways to Improve Student Writing in Spanish , and Sarah Anderson discusses writing by Connecting Students to the World Through Food Studies. Specials classes can spark all sorts of imaginative ways to make writing both practical and creative.
Science Writing: A Tool for Learning Science and Developing Language
Science writing is a particular type of classroom writing that is integrated into inquiry-based investigations in order to further students’ understanding of science. Our friends at Exploratorium in their article, Science Writing: A Tool for Learning Science and Developing Language, offer some practical ideas on how to use writing to promote scientific thinking and understanding.
National Writing Project- Literacy, ELL, and Digital Storytelling: 21st-Century Skills in Action
Literacy, ELL, and Digital Storytelling: 21st-Century Skills in Action
National Writing Project (Click Image)- Educators and experts working to advance writing and the teaching of writing.
MICHAEL F. BERNER, M.ED. SUPERVISOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Email: mberner@lumberton.k12.nj.us
Website: https://www.lumberton.k12.nj.us/
Location: 33 Municipal Drive, Lumberton, NJ, USA
Phone: 6092671406