|
|
|
|
|
|
" . . . well meaning teachers hope students will get better at prompt writing by simply writing to a different prompt every day. In writing workshop, teaching should focus on good writing in any genre. The challenge is to teach writing well, and then teach children to transfer that learning."
Janet Angelillo, Writing to the Prompt
|
Encourages conformity
The more specific the prompt, the more children are encouraged to write the same thing. Students who have less interest or knowledge of the topic are more likely to copy from a teacher's example.
Decreases independence
The more children write to prompts, the more they become dependent on the teacher to choose their topic. They have a hard time deciding what to write about when they are given a choice.
Discourages risk taking
Students tend to play it safe when writing to a prompt. The biggest risk a writer can take is deciding on a topic and this is not possible when they are given prompts.
Decreases ownership
Students do not care as much about their writing when someone is telling them what to write about and thus aren't accountable. They tend to see their writing as a completion of an assignment. Students take pride and ownership in writing about things that interest them.
Produces mediocre writing
In prompted situations, writing is usually safe, dull and formulaic.
May be taught as a unit of study
Prompt writing can be taught as a genre 4-6 weeks prior to a state assessment. During this unit, teach students to read and respond to prompts under time constraints.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Authentic Writing through Writing Workshop |
|
|
|
|
Teaching is focused on "teaching the writer, not the writing" (Calkins, 1994).
Writing Workshop teaches children writing strategies that may be applied to all forms of writing.
Students are given choices
Students are given choices about the topic, ways to develop ideas, and revision strategies.
Writing instruction based on the process of writing
Children see themselves as writers. They "live the writerly life" by collecting ideas, developing those ideas, writing first drafts, revising, editing, proofreading, and finally publishing with the expectation that their writing will be read by others.
Teach writing strategies
The teaching focuses on writing strategies through demonstrations or modeling. This is done in short, concise, carefully planned and executed mini lessons.
Requires significant instructional time
Students should be writing 5 days a week for 35 - 60 minutes a day depending on the grade level.
Authentic purpose
The essential purpose of Writing Workshop is to equip students with the strategies they need in order to write well in any situation and in any genre. |
|
|
|
"Let's teach writing to prompts out of love, not out of duty. Let's teach them to love the play of writing to prompts as much as they love gaming. Let's teach it because we love writing. Let's teach it because we love them."
Janet Angelillo, Writing to the Prompt
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
