Integration with other skills
As was mentioned above writing is usually accompanied with other language skills and aspects. No wonder that the same activity serves many purposes especially for older children.
Find two texts and write them on the mobile phones.
Thank you. Hi, Wendy. Hello, Miriam. We miss you. I feel lonely. Can Steve and I come and see you? Come, I’m waiting for you. Get well soon. I want to be at school with you. |
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[AW] A picture of a mobile phone screen with the first phrase written and some lines to write the whole message. .... Hi, Wendy. ................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ |
[AW] A picture of a mobile phone screen with the first phrase written and some lines to write the whole message. .... Hello, Miriam. ............................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ |
[AW] A small picture of Miriam pressing buttons on her mobile. // Мириам в школе пишет СМСку для Венди |
[AW] A small picture of sick Wendy pressing buttons on her mobile.// Венди лежит больная в постели и держит в руках мобильный телефон |
This guided writing activity supports developing reading skills. The content of this integrated activity is close to children’s lives and contributes to the child’s emotional development. To add more, it is a piece of communicative writing: it is written with a purpose, to a certain person and there is a response. The activity is challenging, but, we believe, children will not be discouraged as the amount of text they have to write is rather small.
NB!
Starting teaching young learners to write, be patient and tolerant, give your children lots of practice, and give them time to build confidence.
Do not forget to include in your lessons involving and meaningful writing activities stimulating children’s overall development.
Think of useful integration with other skills like speaking, reading, listening, and language work.
Food for thought
Think of
Create a good collection of different writing activities to complement your coursebook.
Discuss
Why not come to the parents’ meeting to discuss the issue of helping their children to do writing tasks. Use the ideas from this chapter. Work out a list of agreements (see Chapter 12 about parental involvement).
Try it out
Group interview. Ask your pupils to recollect what they write in the Russian language (in the classroom and at home). Use this information to compare with what you do during the lessons. Then you may have a further talk with their primary teacher about how to foster the development of children’s writing abilities in both languages.