One of my all time favorite literacy teaching strategies in K-1 is Interactive Writing. After I read McCarrier, Pinnell & Fountas' book Interactive Writing: How Language & Literacy Come Together, K-2, I couldn't wait to try it in my own room and wasn't disappointed. Although it can be hard to implement, I truly believe it is the best method for teaching early writing skills, phonics, and conventions in the primary grades. When I saw on Challenge 5 we had to find a topic "we know a lot about" I started trying to brainstorm things that I might be able to provide accurate information on for Wikipedia. After searching through a few Wikipedia sites, I happened to search for "interactive writing."
I was actually surprised at what came up. Although there was a definition of interactive writing, with some sources and text cited, it wasn't the interactive writing I was familiar with. What was there talked more about using interactive writing as a method for a writing response such as through letters or a writing journal where the teacher and student write back and forth to each other. Another piece I thought was interesting is that in this form of interactive writing, the students are encouraged to use inventive spelling in their writing without too much concern for grammar and conventions. However, the teacher serves as the model for the students by using correct grammar, spelling, conventions, etc., in their response. This of course also differed from "my" interactive writing in that I was always taught that the joint student/teacher message reflected correct writing to serve as a model for students.
I decided this was an area I could add to Wikipedia as something I at least knew a little about. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to make changes. Honestly - it almost seemed too easy! Now I understand what everyone means when they say that Wikipedia, although helpful, is not necessarily the most accurate research site. It is good to know, though, that in the future if I see errors or feel there is something I can add to a Wikipedia site now I know how to do it.
I find that I use Wikipedia whenever I need a general overview of a topic. If I hear pundits debating a topic on the news, for instance, I will use Wikipedia to get a little more context of the topic. Reading your post about "interactive literacy" was the first time I read the phrase. I went the interactive literacy article you edited. It is obvious that the original author of the article was knowledgeable, but has a different idea of interactive literacy than you. As someone just being introduced to this topic, it would be great to know that there is not just one form of interactive literacy. Thanks for contributing to the article!
ReplyDelete