How do teachers give feedback to my child in their writing?

Prep - Year 2

Learning to write in the early years is a complex and multifaceted task. Students are learning how to plan, draft and publish texts while at the same time applying their developing knowledge and understanding of spelling, grammar and punctuation, and developing mastery of handwriting skills.

Teachers initially monitor and assess students' writing for ideas and print conventions,and based on what students can do then plan to support them in their responses.

Teachers provide regular feedback

Effective feedback focuses on:

• how well students understand and perform the literacy skill
• the process used to apply the student's understanding
• the student's self-monitoring skills
• the student's ability to personally evaluate their writing

Providing feedback about writing focuses on how students effectively and independently use their knowledge and skills during each stage of their writing tasks - planning, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading and publishing.

Below is a classroom writing example from a Year 1 student, including the teacher feedback. In this writing activity students are focusing on writing a retell from a familiar story. The begining of the story is given to students and then the student is asked to complete the story by recalling the sequences of events. Students focus on using full stops and capital letters, using spelling patterns to spell tricky words, using time connective words such as first, next, then and finally to write their retell.

On completion of their writing students are given the opportunity to personally evaluate their own writing and tick off the writing skills they have achieved on the feedback sheet. Students are then given individual verbal and written feedback by the teacher on how well they wrote the retell and then discuss their next steps on how to improve their writing. 

All students are working well to improve their writing.

Ask your child about their writing.

Can they tell you what their next steps are to improve in their writing?

If you would like more information about your child's writing or any aspect of their learning please contact your child's classroom  teacher. 

Next week I will share some more writing samples and feedback from years 3 - 4. 

Have a great week,

Dee Giudice 

Head of Inclusion