Date of Award
7-1-1992
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
June Delano
Committee Member
Michael Friedberg
Keywords
elementary education, language arts, literary magazine, process writing, publishing, teacher professional development, writing, writing instruction, writing motivation, writing program, Writer's Club, Young Authors, Young Authors Picnic
Abstract
This practicum was designed to place the teaching of writing as a high priority in the elementary school in which this practicum was implemented, allow children more opportunities to share their writing, and assist teachers in their knowledge of teaching writing, especially through the writing process.
Children's writing was given high visibility through the use of monthly "Young Authors" displays, encouragement of classroom and hallway displays, and two editions of a literary magazine. In addition, a publishing center was set up for Fourth Graders, an after-school Writer's Club was formed for Third and Fourth Graders, a Young Authors Picnic was held at the end of the year, and a prize winning teenaged author spent half a day in the school giving assemblies and working with students.
Teachers were assisted in their knowledge of writing instruction through the offering of a district-sponsored graduate course in the teaching of writing plus periodic articles and "Idea sheets" that were circulated.
The results of the practicum were positive with the primary goals and objectives achieved. An analysis of the results indicated a higher priority for writing has been infused in the school. Teachers saw the pride that the children showed when their efforts were displayed and "published" in a literary magazine or in book form. The visiting teenage author was very inspiring to both children and adults wile the public celebration of the writing efforts were enjoyed by the entire school community of parents, children, and teachers.
This practicum contains specific activities to enhance the teaching and display of children's writing. The references used by the writer will guide anyone who wishes to implement a program designed to place more emphasis on writing in the elementary school.