In elementary school children need to be taught the process of writing. It isn't enough to simply tell them to write, even if assigned a given topic, because there are so many elements of the writing process that children aren't ready, even in the later grades, to write form pieces alone. The worst mistakes teachers of middle level students make is taking too much for granted regarding what the children at that level can do alone. As I mentioned in other articles, too often teachers don't teach children how to write. More often they simply tell them to write. At the fifth grade teachers should be modeling the writing process at least once a week. Children will learn how to write, in part, by watching good writers write.
I use the expressive writing model to discuss the idea of voice with the kids. Expressive writing can be any piece whereas the author expresses ideas or opinions. Book reviews or movie reviews are good expressive writing pieces. For this example teachers tell children they are going to write a story about qualities they look for in a movie. The author will use this opportunity to express his feelings about what makes a good movie.
The teacher will brainstorm with the children qualities they look for in a movie. The teacher will collect ideas and write them down on chart paper. Some of the ideas children will generate may include: is it getting good reviews, is it made from a book, what is its rating, does it have action, adventure, horror, comedy....Once the list has been generated the teacher prepares to write while the children watch. The teacher can ask a child how to get started and if a generic opening is given (as is typical because we often teach children generic formula writing instead of voice) the teacher should suggest that in starting this story (I hate telling kids they are writing essays...how boring does that sound?) it should sound like an individual wrote it. Say, "In looking at your stories, I want to know Jimmy wrote it. I want to know that Kathy wrote it. Challenge yourself to find your own voice in your writing. Let's stay away from boring openings."
From there the teacher jumps forward with an exciting opening. Something like this....I love going to the movies. Eating buttery popcorn and escaping real life for awhile is exciting and fun. But some movies make me fall asleep while others keep me on the edge of my seat.....
The above opening as opposed to the generic version...The qualities I look for in a good movie are....ugh. Let every modeled writing assignment be an opportunity to highlight voice. Make it interesting. Let the children understand that they can make every writing piece their own, even if they are writing on the same topic as their classmates.
Teachers continue writing this story in their own voice, using unique vocabulary and style. They should also address the qualities that make a movie good because this is the topic. Have the children copy the model while it's written so they have it to refer to when they decide to write an expressive writing piece themselves. Teachers may opt to have children write their own story about the qualities they look for in a movie using the model as a guide.
