Modelled writing
Modelled writing is an instructional strategy used to teach young children and older students the writing process through direct demonstration by a teacher. Often referred to as "writing aloud," this technique involves the educator narrating their thought process while writing in front of the class. Modelled writing provides a structured approach for students to understand the steps involved in writing, from forming letters to constructing sentences and paragraphs. This method not only helps students grasp basic writing skills but also introduces more advanced concepts, such as incorporating dialogue and summarizing content.
The approach is particularly beneficial for children who have already learned to write basic words, as it transitions them from passive interaction with text to active expression. In addition to modelled writing, other related techniques include shared writing, guided writing, and independent writing, each progressively encouraging students to take on more responsibility in their writing. By breaking down the writing process into manageable steps, modelled writing fosters comprehension of grammar and sentence structure, while also building enthusiasm for writing. Overall, this technique is recognized for enhancing literacy and supporting students in developing their writing skills effectively.
On this Page
Modelled writing
Modeled writing is a step in teaching young children the process of writing. The technique is also called "writing aloud" because the teacher demonstrates the writing process in front of the class while narrating each step. Modeled writing is used with older students to help teach more advanced writing concepts, such as incorporating dialogue or summarizing the points of a report.
Overview
By the mid-1990s, education experts were promoting the benefits of teaching children to write a story, a report, and so on by having the teacher write an example while narrating his or her thought process to the class. Through this explicit modeling process, students are able to absorb the steps of the writing process. In addition, the teacher can demonstrate potential problems students might encounter and the steps they can take to overcome them in their own writing.
Modeled writing is used with children who already have learned to form letters and write words. It is the first of several steps used to help children move from passive interaction with written words to expressing themselves in writing. Other techniques that are part of the overall process include shared writing, which involves the teacher doing the physical writing but the students contributing their thoughts and ideas; guided writing, which involves students doing more of the writing but the teacher still providing significant support; and independent writing, which involves the students doing most of the work on their own with feedback from the teacher.
Modeled writing may be used with more advanced writers to help them learn new writing techniques. For example, during a middle school lesson on writing fiction, a teacher may show students when and how to use dialogue, including adding the appropriate quotation marks. During a high school lesson on writing a research paper, an instructor may provide a step-by-step demonstration on accurately quoting a source and writing a citation.
Instead of simply telling students to write, a teacher using the modeled writing technique walks students through the process, from initial thoughts to completed text. The teacher may use a chalkboard or interactive whiteboard so students can see the work in progress. For example, a teacher showing a group of kindergarteners how to write a sentence might say, "I want to write about a dog that is running. I write 'The dog ran.' Now I want to make it more interesting, so I will add some describing words. Who has an idea for what the dog looks like?" The teacher accompanies each step by writing the text for the children to see and explains grammar rules, such as placing adjectives before the words they describe.
The advantage of modeled writing is that it breaks the complicated task of turning a thought into writing into separate steps students can follow. It helps children absorb concepts such as sentence formation and develop an understanding of written structures that will benefit their own writing. Model writing also allows children to see their suggested words "in print" and builds enthusiasm for the writing process. Experts state that this is important to overall literacy.
Bibliography
Boswell, Kelly. Write This Way: How Modeling Transforms the Writing Classroom. Capstone, 2015.
"4 Stages of Teaching Writing to Children." K5 Chalkbox, www.k5chalkbox.com/teaching-writing-to-children.html. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Gibson, Sharan A. "Write Alouds." Read Write Think,www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/write-alouds-30687.html. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
"Modeled Writing." Goalbook, goalbookapp.com/toolkit/strategy/modeled-writing. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
"Modeling Is an Important Form of Classroom Support for Literacy Learning." US Department of Education,Nov. 1993, www2.ed.gov/pubs/StateArt/Read/idea4.html. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
"Modelled Writing." Literacy Solutions,31 Aug. 2010, www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2010/08/31/modelled-writing/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Musselwhite, Caroline Ramsey. "Modeled Writing: Show How!" Augmentative/Alternative Communication Intervention,2012, www.aacintervention.com/home/180009852/180009852/Images/Modeled%20Writing%20Tip.pdf. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Pennington, Mark. "How to Teach a Write Aloud." Pennington Publishing,10 July 2009, blog.penningtonpublishing.com/reading/how-to-teach-a-write-aloud/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.