Go the Distance

Writing Skills 

 

  • Scribbling/Drawing 

The key word in describing this skill is random marks. Their message is the sum of marks, lines, shapes, and anything else to show what they mean or are thinking.  

  • Letter-like Symbols 

Moving on from the randomness of marks and shapes, here is where you see more formation into letters. Not necessarily the correct letter shape or sequence, they start to move towards wanting to connect the right letters to make a word.  

  • Letters and Strings of Letters 

Building on the letter-like symbols in the above skill, children want the correct sound to make words. Letters are more like real ones, and the connecting of the string of letters to make actual words.  

  • Transitional 

Letter-sound recognition has been achieved, this is where we get more representation of the entire word, with the right letters and wrong ones. Words are more likely to represent the right words to convey what they want to say. Although you still have common mistakes, children have the ability to produce written responses that you can read.   

  • Conventional 

Combining all of the above skills, children have a clear understanding of connecting words to fully convey their thoughts and feelings. Sentence structure and text structure are improved and understood. Still, some mechanical errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar are common.  

Being the Best

Specific Writing Skills for Grades 4-6 

 

  • Writing Mechanics 

The specific skills associated with grades 4-6 include writing mechanics. They are spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation/capitalization. All of these skills have been taught to an extent by these grades, but continued effective instruction is needed. I personally connect with the two factors of being able to recognize and understand spelling conventions/patterns and understanding grammatical patterns. According to the text by the Access Center, children must build and hone their competency in two areas: writing mechanics and the writing process.  

  • Acquire and Retrieve Knowledge 

We have already confirmed that the writing process brings together many skills that allow them to be applied in multiple ways. Acquiring and retrieving knowledge is a powerful skill that is taught across all content areas. In writing, this connects to short and long-term memory goals and has an understanding and purpose in writing.  

  • Construct Text  

This skill connects word usage, text structure, overall organizational skills, and an understanding of others’ perspectives.  

  • Navigating through the entire writing process 

As stated above, the writing process allows overarching skills that should lead to students being able to produce more organized pieces of writing. Effective instruction should have the application of the skills above combined with the knowledge of distinct steps involving the writing process.