Double Journal Entry # 10

Why is it the responsibility of all teachers to provide writing instruction for their students?

First of all, the Common Core State Standards require this, since the shift in focus on reading and writing across the curriculum. Writing skills are not only essential across all curricula, they foster learning but serve to demonstrate the degree of student learning. Writing instruction needs to help students meet the challenges of writing effectively for many purposes. These types of skills enhance overall achievement, not only in the school setting but in real life. Therefore, students who do not acquire these skills are at a severe disadvantage. If these skills are practiced and perfected by all educators involved, the student's chance of success in school and life are greatly multiplied.

Name and describe 4 research-based strategies to support writing instruction for students.

1. Use low-stakes writing assignments- With this strategy, students are given shorter assignments. These assignments may ask the students to focus on or explain key concepts, outline a procedure, or summarize arguments on a given topic. if this strategy is employed regularly, it can serve to strengthen student connections to the reading done within the course.


2. Provide multiple forms of feedback- There are many ways to provide feedback; it does not necessarily mean that the teacher sits for hours grading stacks of papers. Feedback can come in the form of peer review, whole class discussions of student writing samples, students’ reflection on their own writing,

and brief one-on-one conferences.

3. Employ a variety in texts and their presentation- The argument here is that the textbook does not have to be the sole source of information. Using a variety of texts (essays, primary sources, fiction, scientific reports, inventories) increases interest and concept development. They also help students develop as readers by varying style, length, and difficulty.

4. Employ a variety of levels of reading difficulty- Students who cannot read the text easily are likely to give up or lose interest quickly. Students who are not reading at grade level need to have access to quality materials that they can easily "digest". Learning needs to be scaffolded in order to be effective for everyone.