Teaching Strategy #6: Writing

Writing is a practice that many teachers use every day in their classroom, whether it’s for assessment or comprehension. However, Killen (2009, pg. 339) suggests that teachers should look at writing to learn as well as writing to demonstrate learning. He also states that writing can be used to actively engage students in their learning. Using writing as a teaching strategy focuses on note taking, focused writing activities for consolidation and revision, and journals (Killen, 2009). Bean (2011, pg. 17-18) writes about how writing is heavily linked to critical thinking. He discusses that too many teachers have used writing as a packaging method – wrapping up the ideas we have already formulated and leaving them as is, so students find little use for it. As well as this, Bean (2011, pg. 18) highlights that writing has been implemented as just a set of isolated skills. Learning through writing provides students an opportunity to develop language skills, adapt ways of thinking and assist in expressing their viewpoint (Killen, 2009). Journal writing is also beneficial to students as it takes away the formalities of writing and eases pressure that students may feel. It is also a good strategy as teachers can have a record of the student’s progress through looking at their completed writing activities. This strategy, writing, also correlates with the UDL guidelines (CAST, 2011) through providing options for language, comprehension, expression and communication and self regulation. Overall, I believe that using writing as a teaching strategy allows students to become critical thinkers and gain skills that are crucial to gain deeper understanding and higher order thinking.


Google Images. (2012). Search: Students writing. Retrieved May 7, 2012 from http://coekate.murraystate.edu/media/professors/files/shatzer/Elementary%20students%20writing.jpg