Lisa Martin's Portfolio
Homepage Lisa Martin
Project Page Understanding Emergent Writing
Intent of Project
The purpose of this course is to explain the different stages of emergent writing and provide suggestions on how to support emergent writers in each of these stages. Upon completion of this course learners will be able to:
- Define emergent writing.
- Identify the characteristics of each stage of emergent writing.
- Identify ways to support emergent writers at each stage.
- Analyze emergent writing samples to identify the stage of writing and ways to support the writer.
Needs Assessment
1. Instructional Problem Because emergent writing refers to a stage of development found in 3-5 year olds, it is usually only addressed in early childhood teacher education programs. In those programs in which it is addressed at all, it is usually done within the concept of emergent literacy as a whole and not something that is studied in depth. In order to best support a student in the emergent writing stages, the teacher must have an in-depth understanding of each stage as well as how to provide support within each stage.
2. Intended Learners This mini-course is intended for teachers working with students currently in the emergent stages of writing. Although typically these stages are seen in children ages 3-5 years old, they could also be seen in older children experiencing developmental delays. This course could also be used by parents that have children in the emergent stages of writing to better support them at home.
3. Instructional Context The activities in this mini-course will be completed online and information will be presented through readings, photographs of examples of children’s writing, and videos of supporting emergent writers. At the end of the course learners will be provided with print resources to use in their classroom or at home to support children currently in the emergent stages of writing.
4. Goals My intent with this mini-course is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to thoughtfully and purposely support students in the emergent writing stages. Through this course:
- Will understand the difference between emergent and conventional writing.
- Will be able to identify characteristics of each stage of emergent writing.
- Will be able to analyze pieces of writing showing stages of emergent writing as well as come up with instructional plans on how to best support the child in that specific stage.
Performance Objectives
- When asked what emergent writing is, learners will classify emergent writing by describing it in writing.
- Given picture examples of various stages of emergent writing, learners will identify the stage shown by choosing the correct answer out of the options given.
- Given picture examples of various stages of emergent writing, learners will classify the characteristics of the given stage by choosing the correct characteristics out of the options given.
- Given picture examples of various stages of emergent writing, learners will generate an instructional plan to support a student in the given stage in writing.
Task Analysis
Overall Course Objective
Given picture examples of various stages of emergent writing, learners will generate an instructional plan to support a student in the given stage in writing.
Essential Prerequisites
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to navigate the internet.
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to navigate an online Wiki course.
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to read text, watch videos, and listen for understanding.
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge to multiple choice questions.
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge in a written response.
- The learner will demonstrate the ability to write an instructional plan.
Supportive Prerequisites
- The learner is intrinsically motivated to learn.
- The learner has a basic understanding that children go through developmental stages in all aspects of growth.
- The learner has a desire to understand the stages of emergent writing.
- The learner has a desire to help support and develop students in the stages of emergent writing.
Curriculum Map
Course Outline
Unit 1 - Defining Emergent Writing
Introduction to Project
- Meet Zoey, a Kindergarten student, and see samples of her writing
- Project Definition- Help Zoey's mother understand emergent writing, determine her current stage of emergent writing and figure out how to best support her in that stage
Activity 1 Research Emergent Writing
- Watch a video on Emergent Writing and learn general information about its definition
- Read a text about Emergent Writing defining it in more detail
Activity 2 Define Emergent Writing
- Report your findings on emergent writing to Zoey's mother based on what you have found in your research
Unit 2 - Characteristics of Stages of Emergent Writing
Activity 1 View examples of Emergent Writing and Learn their characteristics
- View screencast examples of each of the 5 stages of Emergent Writing with descriptions of the characteristics of that stage
Activity 2 Review Stages and Characteristics of Emergent Writing
- View a document showing stages of emergent writing and their characteristics
- Based on your research,start to think about what stage of emergent writing Zoey is currently at
Activity 3 Define stages and characteristics of Emergent Writing
- Given pictures of various stages of Emergent Writing, choose the appropriate characteristics for that stage out of options given.
- Briefly explain to Zoey's mother the characteristics of the stages Emergent Writing and tell her what stage Zoey is currently at.
Unit 3 - Supporting Emergent Writers
Activity 1 Seeing Support in Action
- View a video demonstrating Emergent Writing support
- Write a written reflection about what you noticed about/characteristics of the support given
Activity 2 Proper Support at Each Stage
- Read text explaining proper support to give emergent writers at each stage
- Start thinking about what support would be appropriate for Zoey at her current stage of emergent writing
Activity 3 Defining Proper Support for Emergent Writers
- Given pictures of various stages of Emergent Writing, choose the appropriate supports for that stage out of options given
- Make decisions regarding what types of support Zoey needs at her current stage of emergent writing
Final Project
Given the research you have done as well as applying this research to Zoey's work samples provide Zoey's mother with a written report including the following:
- Background information on Emergent Writing and characteristics of each stage
- Explain the stage Zoey is currently at in detail and how you came to this conclusion
- Provide suggestions for how she can best support Zoey at her current stage and your rationale behind the supports chosen