Steve Graham, well-known writing authority, says that writing is a neglected skill, and I agree wholeheartedly. Most teachers know what it takes, but it gets forgotten in the demands they face. Stakeholders don’t always see the importance , and lack of time is a “factor” for teachers when asked why writing isn’t happening.
Writing is needed for student success; it IS a fundamental skill. The United States is not the only country facing the issue . Graham also states that writing instruction is inadequate in many countries and many grades. Most countries. Let that sink in…
The last two years have been so difficult on everyone. Education and students have suffered, I don’t care how well students did with virtual learning. It just was not the same. Gaps were evident before the pandemic, and I believe we will only be able to see the real effects of the pandemic on education as we move forward. We must find a way to reach our students, to make up what they missed, and to fill in important cognitive gaps in the quickest way we can.
I believe writing is more important today than it has ever been. We have got to change how we teach so instruction improves and students have cognitive gains. Writing is a means to an end. A solid writing plan and research-based strategies are a must, now more than ever. Writing is the most important cognitive tool we have readily available that also improves reading along the way. Why do we continue to ignore the benefits of having our students write regularly?
Gregory Ciotti and James Pennebaker write extensively about the benefits of writing. Ciotti in 2014 reminded us that writing by hand improves retention of information and builds motor memory better than using a keyboard. That needs to be shouted from the rooftop.
Teachers must be trained in the “why” and the “how” and then adequate time—extensive time— must be built in to the schedule. Writing cannot be an afterthought, and it cannot be neglected any longer.