PROMOTING WRITING IN THE PRIMARY GRADES AND DESIGNING WRITING ASSESSMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE PRIMARY GRADE

According to Fletcher& Portalupi (2001) Once we study the written pieces of our students, we can get a comprehensive picture of the child's writing ability. This is very important because teachers must be able to track the progress of their students in order to be able to assist them in becoming more purposeful and great writers. Writing can be taught in many ways and using many different strategies to include, whole class, within groups and on their own (individual). This aspect of the writing process lends itself to careful planning and the use of  precise methods and strategies in order to ensure that students are taught correctly.

As the lecturer demonstrated how, as teachers of writing we can make recommendation and suggestions to our future students so that they can become better writers i was overwhelmed by the information. I have certainly become a reflective teacher who plans to do things totally different.

Moreover, in n order to engage students we must also ensure that the necessary tools and materials are available for them to perform at their best which will include writing materials like  bookmarks, pens, pencils and paper. Assessing their writing would then become more authentic, even with the use of the 6+1 Traits of Writing Rubric which follows a precise and specific order in which the students' pieces should be rated and assessed it takes the writers pieces from a developmental level to that of a professional one. During these sessions we were required to observe a child in pairs and write anecdotal notes on what he does as he writes during the writing process. Myself and my group mate journeyed to the S.R.Olivia David Primary School where we met a young man named Dow, as we observed him we formed a bond which i know will stick with him for a very long time. Even as i wrote suggestions for bettering his writing skills i reflected on the many students who have passed through my hands and did not receive the opportunity which Dow now has. I really do hope that within the future, as student teachers observe students like Dow and make our recommendations, that it would not just be for the course but to effect a change within the used subjects like Dow where they will get to use our recommendations.