Inspired and Equipped to Write
When choosing a mechanic to service our vehicle we pay attention to knowledge, skills and ability. These attributes are vital to “Good Writing”, and they begin for our boys in their Pre-Primary and Primary years!
“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” ~ Ray Bradbury
In 2020, I wrote a Messenger article revealing that boys are twice as likely to be at or below national minimum standard for writing by age 15 than girls, with the proportions struggling to achieve that benchmark growing from an average of 3.9 per cent of boys in Year 3 to 20.6 per cent of boys in Year 9.
You may have become aware from the media this week, that a review of 10 million NAPLAN Year 3-9 writing results and more than 350 persuasive writing samples by the government-funded Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) found students’ writing declined significantly in every key skill area but spelling over seven years to 2018.
A follow-up article in the SMH yesterday provided a word of caution about the review.
"NAPLAN’s writing assessment criteria are flawed and limited. A student doesn’t have to be a good writer to score high marks. Conversely, a creative and innovative student could score poorly if marked by the current criteria".
Writing is key to success at school because students who struggle to express their thoughts clearly on the page cannot demonstrate their knowledge.
As a school, we are committed to helping our boys to enjoy writing, and to know how to "use words to persuade, inspire, to make people think, laugh and cry". However, we are also equipping them with the essential foundational skills.
As specialists in educating boys, we focus on their literacy needs by addressing fundamental reading, spelling and language skills using targeted research-based programs and strategies.
Our methods include:
- Systematic approach in the early years - While students are developing their understanding of writing and how texts are crafted, we use InitiaLit (an evidenced based program) which supports a systematic and explicit approach to teaching writing.
- Break it down into manageable chunks - We break writing into structural components which we explicitly teach (including grammar, punctuation, spelling, language, and text features).
- High impact strategies - We use known high impact strategies when teaching writing (such as multiple exposure, visible learning intentions and success criteria, explicit teaching, and feedback).
- Goal setting - Students collaborate with their teacher to set writing goals, based on writing pre-assessments, which are regularly adjusted.
- Feedback - We use one on one conferencing with our students to provide verbal feedback on writing, in addition to written feedback.
- Write across subjects - Providing regular writing opportunities and a diversity of genres is critical, so we engage the boys in writing beyond their English lessons, such as science flow charts and historical recounts.
- Flexible and Real World - We teach students to adapt their writing to suit the audience and purpose. As much as possible, we connect their writing to the real world, such as writing a letter to the Prime Minister about protecting Macquarie Island.
- Quality texts - We use quality literature as model exemplars to teach writing (eg Zoo by Anthony Browne, Blueback by Tim Winton, Good Night Mr Tom by Michelle Majorian).
Our extra literacy teachers, Learning Support and Gifted Education specialists, and our Teacher Librarian work alongside class teachers to identify individual needs and establish pathways to stimulate and support our boys.
We have an incredibly powerful support model for writing and reading.
In 2020, I suggested that developing a culture of daily reading at home is one of the most powerful things parents can do to support the learning journey of their children. Combining a culture of regular writing has the potential to have an incredible impact on learning success, confidence and enjoyment of learning, as writing is a key means through which students learn in all curriculum areas.
Previously, I have provided suggestions (seen at the end of this article) for making writing a regular part of your son’s activities at home. You may find them helpful. Regular reading and writing at home, combined with the specialised support at school, will go a long way to setting your child up for successful learning, increased confidence, and increased life opportunities.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
Reference:
Link - Sydney Morning Herald - 18 October
Link - Sydney Morning Herald - 20 October
Tips for Parents
- Create a writing space: Children thrive with structure, if possible, create a fun space for them to write at home.
- Make bulletpoint lists: Have children keep a list of all the different activities that they do each day at home in a journal or notebook. This simple activity not only helps them to write each day, but by creating this list, they are creating a brainstormed list of “seed” ideas that they can later turn into narrative writing pieces.
- Descriptive Web: Have children select any household item and create a descriptive web in their writing notebook. To do this, they simply write the word of the item they are describing in a circle and create a web of descriptive phrases about it using their five senses.
- Figurative language around the house: One writing skill that children love to practice is using figurative language. Children love to write similes and metaphors, pack a sentence full of alliteration, and write using personification and exaggeration. Have them find an object in their home and write about it using figurative language.
- Writing about reading: Since children are expected to read every day, why not have them write about what they read. This does not have to be a long task at all! Keep it simple and have them write a sentence or two that summarizes their reading, something that they learned, or a prediction that they have.
- Daily journal: This is an easy activity for children to do at home, too. There is no right or wrong way to write in a journal, so just let them be creative. Perhaps write about favourite foods or something done over the weekend.
- A picture is worth a thousand words: This one is simple! Grab any photo, even a digital one saved on a phone or tablet and have the kids write about it.
- Be the parent for the day: Let children pretend to be the adults for the day, at least when it comes to writing. When and why do parents need to write each day? Maybe you have to write a grocery list, a recipe, or an email. Let the children help or do all the writing that is needed that day. There is nothing better than using parent role models to encourage writing at home.
- Don’t forget other genres: Encourage your child to think about something that they love and write a poem or song lyrics about it. They can also complete writing activities with a purpose, such as writing a letter or note to a friend or family member, or an email to a company requesting information or asking a question. Any form of writing is great writing practice!
