- Before teaching students to write, we must build stamina and motivation in the students and many times with the teachers.
- Clear writing starts with clear thinking for children and adults.
- Writing is s craft, a process—a slow one.
- We learn to write by writing.
- Writers need to know the purpose and audience for the writing.
- Grammar books are not necessary to teach writing. They are a resource.
- Research shows that traditional grammar instruction, with its focus on rules, has little impact on the quality of students’ writing.
- Not all writing needs to be graded.
- Set high expectations, but don’t frustrate your weak writers.
- Some writing assignments are meant to be quick. Some may last several weeks.
Donald Graves, Steven Graham, and Lucy Calkins agree that writing needs to be satisfying, meaningful, give some choice, and opportunity to share. The teachers’ role is showing “how to do it” and helping students get it done through feedback.
“The antidote for failure equals explicit writing instruction and adequate practice.”