I will write.

 September 24, 2023

Writing… 

It is crazy to me how many people think writing is a subject. Yes, I said it. People think writing is a subject. When students work in reading, do they write? When students work in math, do they write? When students work in science and social studies, do they write? When students pass a note in class, do their homework, and so on, do they write? The answer is obvious, YES! 

Writing is more than a subject. It is a foundation to everything we do. In life, we have a process. We learn to think. Then, we learn to talk and say what we are thinking. Finally, we learn how to read what others are thinking and saying… or we learn how to write what we are thinking and saying. It’s natural. It’s human nature. Why then are there teachers who confine writing to a subject? 

Yes, we need to teach writing. Yes, we need to practice writing. BUT, writing is way more than a subject. It is the one thing we need to record our thoughts and share them with others. Recently, I heard a teacher say, “We don’t test writing so it’s not as important. We don’t need it.” I almost lost my mind. 

Writing is a developmental skill as much as reading. The stronger a person is in writing, the stronger they will be in reading. We can not have reading without writing. It is also a skill that needs practice and time to strengthen and develop. If we leave writing to the grades who are tested on writing, then we are setting those teachers and students up for failure. 

In my classroom, I make it a point to keep students writing throughout the whole day. They need it! They need to be able to record their thoughts on a page. They also need to be able to formulate their own thoughts. If they are constantly given multiple choice answers, then they will never be able to write their own thought and answer. 

Writing is important. It is as important as reading. Students need time and space to write as often as they can. Please be sure your students are writing in your classroom throughout the day because it is more than a subject.