Interactive Writing

"Interactive writing is an instructional context in which a teacher shares a pen- literally and figuratively- with a group children as they collaboratively compose and construct a written message. We want to help children learn how written language words so that they can become independent writers," (Andrea McCarrier, Gay Su Pinnell & Irene C. Fountas).

Throughout the week we have a scheduled time for interactive writing. Sometimes we complete a piece full class or small group, depending on the goal.

Times we have used Interactive Writing in Our Classroom:
1) Morning Meeting
2) After a Read Aloud
3) Class Letter
4) Book Talks or Guided Reading
5) Information they have learned in Science or Social Studies
6) Writing directions
** We scaffold interactive writing depending on the group of students we are working with.

Essential Elements of Interactive Wriitng (Andrea McCarrier, Gay Su Pinnell & Irene C. Fountas):

1) Provide a base of active learning experiences.
2) Talk to establish purpose.
3) Compose the text.
4) Construct the text.
5) Reread, revise, and proofread the text.
6) Revisit the text to support word solving.
7) Summarize learning.
8) Extend the learning.

Our Observations from Interactive Writing:
1) Students begin to reread and think how to develop a clear statement to add to the writing.
2) Students apply site word vocabulary.
3) Students demonstrate their understanding of what they have learned.
4) Studnets apply writing strategies: sounding out words, spacing, spelling strategies, and letter formation, clear statements.
5) Students take risks becuase they want to show others what they know.
6) Our classroom is centered around student text rather than teacher text.
7) It allows us to assess students with specific isolated skills.
8) Students have ownership of the text and we can play phonics games with the text and they are engaged.

Tools you need to begin:

1) Easel
2) Sentence Strips or Writing paper
3) Markers
4) Pointer
5) ABC Chart and or a Word Name Chart

Enjoy and have fun. You will continue to see your student's become more confident and stronger in writing.

Resource:

Interactive Writing, (Andrea McCarrier, Gay Su Pinnell & Irene C. Fountas).