Writing skills help a student attain self-determination, clarity, fluency and creativity in writing. If students master these skills, they will be able to write so that not only they can read what they have written, but other people can read and understand it too. Some students have outstanding writing skills while others struggle to get anything down on paper.
Education
Cooperative Learning - for Secondary Education
When teaching in a secondary classroom I see students who are all at various reading and writing levels. There appears to be a wide range of varying abilities with my students in regards to their writing skills. Writing skills help a student attain self-determination, clarity, fluency and creativity in writing. If students master these skills, they will be able to write so that not only they can read what they have written, but other people can read and understand it too. Some students have outstanding writing skills while others struggle to get anything down on paper. As a result of the things that I have seen I am interested in seeing the effects of peer review activities on the writing skills of those students who are struggling particularly in the area of fluency. Fluency skills for writing include:
be familiar with the linear sequence of sounds mastering writing movements and letter shapes distinguishing the chunking of words identify the need for space between words
writing rapidly
It is important to build self-confidence through the use of peer review groups. In these groups students share their papers with one another, reading them aloud, and then asking for responses. For the first paper, only positive responses are allowed. Soon students get over their fear that the response group will be five people attacking their writing where only one had done it 'before. Each 'participant is vulnerable since each reads a paper to the group. Consequently each becomes sensitive to the needs of the student who's asking for help. Criticism is supportive, designed to help the student improve their writing.
Questions
How will small group, peer review activities contribute to students' writing skills and how will this affect their overall fluency?
Sub-questions
What activities would be the most helpful for students to increase their fluency?
Overall how does the student's writing skill improve?
How much repetition will be needed for the students to improve their fluency and in the end their overall writing skills?
Method
I will be working with a group of six students who are having difficulties with their writing fluency. Each day I will work with the group of students using activities that is designed to improve writing fluency. By working in groups to evaluate one another's writing, students will learn to recognize mistakes on their own. By me giving them feedback, I can help them see difficult errors such as language usage and grammar errors that other students might not see. During these sessions data will be collected by way of note taking and observations. Student artifacts will also be collected. Although the focus here will be on the small group activities, the students will also be participating in class writing assignments as well.
Data Collection
Observation/field notes: I will take notes daily while completing fluency improvement activities.
Students' artifacts: I will collect samples of the students writing.
Daily reflection on lessons and responses from students.
Discussions with peers about daily activities and outcomes.
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