Another really good suggestion I got out of this reading is the use of color-coded writing. Having students use different colors to differentiate between opening, topic, and supporting sentences is a great idea. I'm a very visual person, and would have loved to see the colors when I was learning to write. This color-coding technique is also great because it teaches students to plan ahead when writing. Too often, students will just begin to write a paper without thinking about what they are going to say. Having to come up with a red opening sentence, then a green topic sentence will really help the young writer to visualize the paper.
Another aspect of writing that needs to be emphasized more clearly is the revision of the paper. Too many students just write the paper and are done. If the teacher makes them do revisions, they will simply correct the simple things like spelling. They need to be taught that revisions include adding more onto the paper, and making sure that there is enough support for each main idea.
1 comment:
When I was reading your blog, I felt like your last paragraph made a vary good point. As a student, I often feel like once I finish a paper, I can just turn it in and never think about it again. However, I have come to notice that revising my paper and having other people revise my paper as well helps me see the multiple mistakes and suggestions that need to be addressed in order for my paper to be complete. It just goes to show you how necessary revision can be. I feel that if you start teaching students at a young age how helpful revision can be, they will be more apt to use it later in life because it is almost second nature for them.
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