The best way to improve your writing is to write more. Writing is a skill which improves with practice. But how do you get kids to practice writing?
The blog Daily Writing Tips offers ten ways. Let me paraphrase a few of them.
Encourage students to read, read, read. Reading isn’t writing, true. But if students read widely, they encounter all kinds of writing styles. Subconsciously they discern what is good writing.
Encourage students to write stories for younger kids. If students are in third grade, have them write for kindergarteners, using themes and words kindergarteners understand. By doing so, students consider audience, style of writing, how complicated to make the plot, what kinds of characters to include, the setting—all elements of stories.
Encourage students to keep going even if they know there are mistakes. Professional writers don’t stop to fix every mistake as they write. No, they know they will go back later and fix mistakes. Once students are in the “flow” of writing, they should push on.
Encourage students to keep journals and to share those journals. With partners or in small groups they can share their writing and receive feedback. Positive feedback is so important to motivate a student to keep writing.
Encourage students to ask for help. Some parents think students should write alone and confer with a teacher only when the writing is done. Wrong. Conferring during the writing process allows students to ask questions about verb tenses, a better way to say something, the meaning of a word, and plot possibilities. The teacher becomes not the judge but the helper.
And I would add an idea of my own. Write with students. Ask them questions as you write, so they can see you welcome their help. Share your writing when it is done, warts and all. Model the behavior you hope they will use with you. Let them help you.
English Writing Teacher 