Writing Rules
Do:
- Write often.
- Let students see you write.
- Share the joy of writing. Model revision & editing.
- Share writing from many sources (including your writing).
- Let students know you are eager to see what they write.
- Display writing.
- Keep portfolios ( you keep one, too).
- Use worksheets only for mini lessons/support.
- Model use of writing tools (spell checker, good handbooks, etc.).
- Encourage/support revision/editing.
- Teach conventions.
- Celebrate students creative borrowing.
- Read aloud at every opportunity.
- Encourage temporary spelling as a way to solve a common writers problem.
- Respond to content first.
- Celebrate small victories (because it take a lifetime to become a writer).
- Publish student work.
Don't...
- Assess everything.
- Correct everything students write.
- Do students editing for them.
- Let worksheets replace writing time.
- Be afraid to share your writing with students.
- You can do it. DO it.
- Worry too much about conventional correctness!
- Demand revision/editing and model it.
- Forget to read aloud often, with expression and joy.
- Overlook the tiny details, the little moments of voice, the new conventions,
the special words that show your writers are growing, learning.
- Forget to point these strengths out to your writers who have a bigger need
to know than you, than parents, than the district, than anyone. They need
to know.
- Let any excuse in the world keep you from being a writer yourself.
- Forget to let students see how much you love books, writing, and teaching.
Source: Assessment and Accountability Program, Northwest Regional
Educational Laboratory, NWREL, MMSD, Instructional Technologies