Students in elementary school can benefit from having an outlet. Writing can serve as this outlet. Many times, through writing, a child can discover something in particular that is bothering him. By using journals or other various tools, a student is able to write down thoughts and feelings. He can learn to better understand himself, which is necessary for healthy emotional development. Many teachers ask a student to write how he feels about that day's lesson. Counselors sometimes ask a student to write about what's going on at home. Oftentimes, these writing passages will help you and your student understand why he may be behaving a certain way in class. There are many uses for journal writing in the elementary classroom.
Asking a student to write as she thinks her way through a problem will help her develop critical thinking skills. Math word problems are a good opportunity for a student to write down what she already knows. She can question what she needs to know, then plot out a plan to solve the problem. Writing out sentences, or using self directed talk, can help her work through the word problem. This kind of writing can also be used to discuss controversial issues. Writing prompts such as "Should Students be Required to Wear School Uniforms" encourages a student to think critically about both sides of the argument. She picks a side, then provides evidence to support her side. This type of thinking helps prepare her for real life issues that are certain to arise.
Writing in the classroom gives students a creative outlet. Elementary age students are still young enough to come up with the most fascinating stories. The imaginations haven't yet been tainted, and the stories are almost always entertaining. Not only should a student write his own story, he should illustrate pictures. Crayons, markers and paint are top tool picks. Since writing is part of the elementary curriculum, you won't have to worry about fitting it into the day. Include it as part of your language arts lesson plan. Check for grammatical errors, characters, setting and look to see that the student adds details in his story. Beginning young will prevent him from dreading writing assignments required in middle and high school grade levels.
The act of writing itself helps develop fine motor coordination. Fine motor coordination is where you use small muscle groups to help you complete a task. Almost anything you do with your fingers and hands is considered fine motor. Most students begin learning to write in cursive in third and fourth grade. She needs extra practice to help her get better at cursive writing. With more practice, not only will her writing improve, but other areas of her life will show improvement. A student who plays musical instruments will find she has an easier time with finger placement. A student who participate in sports will discover he can dribble or handle a ball better.