writing tip of the month:
teaching ells to write strong sentences
Teaching writing can be one of the biggest challenges in the classroom for a teacher of EFL/ENL. This tip will promise an improvement in not just sentence writing, but the student's overall writing. As one of my research students once said, "It's like magic!"- It sure is!! I learned this method from a workshop series with Judith Hochman in New York. This invaluable method teaches students how to write a well developed, cohesive, mature sentence. After all, sentences are the building blocks of writing!
Follow the steps below to teach GREAT sentence writing: (See SAMPLE on the right to better understand ------------>>> )
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Who: Little girl
(Did) What: went pumpkin picking Where: the farm When: last autumn Why: Halloween was coming soon How: with her mom and dad. Summary Sentence: Last autumn, the little girl went pumpkin picking at the farm with her mom and dad because Halloween was coming soon. tips for this exercise:
1. Use a picture that will interest your students, or has to do with the content/ theme you are teaching.
2. This is a great warm-up routine for students. Have a picture up in the beginning of every class, and students may start to work as soon as the enter the room, without directions from you! The more they practice, the better they become at using this method to create strong sentences. 3. As students become more comfortable, you can teach them proper use of commas and conjunctions with this exercise. 4. As students master this skill, you can have them use it to summarize news articles and short readings. This exercise then turns into a great reading & note-taking strategy. See my handouts for samples! :) |
top 5 websites for writing free online webinars
1. PURDUE OWL https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
This site gives writings examples, suggestions, and explicit instruction on writing for ESP, academic English, composing job specific writing, and research writing. Website includes PowerPoint Presentations, video lessons, and additional practice for writing. (intermediate – proficient; grammar/specific formatting/ essay writing) 2. WRITE FIX www.writefix.com This site gives writings examples, suggestions, and insight on how to compose academic essays. (intermediate – advanced; essay writing) 3. THIS I BELIEVE www.thisibelieve.org This site is an inspirational writing community. You may use to find sample writing pieces or have students compete to publish essays on this website. (upper intermediate- proficient) 4. ENGLISH FOR UNIVERSITY www.englishforuniversity.com This site was created by a university lecturer. It is for international students who want to improve their English language skills. Includes writing exercises, article, listening practice, vocabulary and grammar development for academic English skills! (upper intermediate-advanced) 5. ESL GALAXY http://www.esl-galaxy.com/writing.html This website provides teachers with worksheets, crosswords, interactive games, and activities for beginner English writers. (beginner-intermediate) |
more writing resources
At the Mongolian University of Science & Technology, I worked with current and aspiring researchers to improve their research writing in this 4 week course. A major focus of this course was organization, formatting, and improving grammar & writings skills. All PowerPoint's, hand outs, textbooks, and practice quizzes can be found on my Research writing website: www.mustresearch.weebly.com
All writing should be edited, revised, and graded based on a rubric. You should supply students with a rubric before they begin the writing process so that they are aware of your expectations for them. I have provided a copy of the 4 point scale rubric used by Common Core & New York State to grade all writing levels in 5 different categories:
1. Ideas: How well does the student communicate ideas? Are the ideas focused on the main idea and topic? Are the ideas presented in a creative way? 2. Elaboration: Does student support their writing with examples and a variety of details? Are details well understood? 3. Organization: Is there a clear & logical structure to student's writing? Sentence & paragraph organization follow proper formatting. 4. Voice, Tone & Fluency:Is there a strong sense of the individual's voice in writing? Shows Does tone shows awareness of purpose and audience? Does style includes some sentences that are complex and compelling. Is writing sophisticated with variety & flow? 5. Conventions: Grammar, spelling & punctuation. 6. Process: Student's ability to organize and develop writing based on topic. Does the student improve throughout the writing process? |