Conley's Chapter 11

I like the idea of writing to learn. Not only are the students learning, but you as the teacher are learning if your style is working and if the students are comprehending important points. Writing instruction must take into account the different levels and expectations of writing throughout the educational career of the student, but also the translation of effective writing into the future workplace.

Technology is also becoming a key component to fostering the maturity of expression through writing. Students are continually using, what they consider informal writing methods such as electronic mail and instant message services. This is also exacerbated by the growing trend of the text messaging and abbreviated writing styles. The classroom should be a place that embraces these technological advances, while showing that effective and appropriate writing skills are necessary to communicate properly, despite the writing tool.

Journal writing also provides for continuous assessment of writing and comprehension progress. Using different methods of journal writing has the ability to test writing and reading comprehension in various ways. A personal journal is a fantastic method used to test the comprehension of big ideas, while dialogue journals are an effective method of teacher/student interaction that may garner greater student participation than simply question/answer.

Finally, report writing, such as opinion based reports, are key to the comprehension of writers at all levels. The key to writing any report is to teach the organization of thoughts and key points that will guide an appropriately written report. This also teaches students to review and revise their own work, and the work of their peers. This type of revision learning helps to enforce effective writing skills and discourage inappropriate writing mistakes.