Teaching writing

In this chapter, the authors share a number of strategies that teachers can use to teach young writers what they need to learn. Importantly, it considers the teaching of the authorial and secretarial (editorial) aspects of writing, both independently and as complementary processes as young children learn to write. Classroom environments and resources which promote learning to write are discussed before the introduction of strategies for teaching writing. A teaching cycle which emphasizes shifting levels of support as students gain mastery over different aspects of writing is introduced. Within this cycle, teaching strategies broadly fall into four categories: modelled writing strategies, shared or co-construction writing strategies, guided writing strategies, and strategies to support individual writing. The chapter pays particular attention to Interactive Writing and the use of mentor texts as powerful strategies for teachers to use in the first years of school. Illustrations of practice from classrooms support the chapter. Reflection prompts are inserted throughout the chapter, along with recommended readings.