Question- What are the stages and methods of Teaching Writing?

Ans.

Different Stages and Methods of Teaching Writing

There are following four stages -

First Stage Related to Motivation - Students should be encouraged to learn writing. For it different motivational techniques can be used.

Second Stage : related to Penmanship - Students should be given knowledge of writing letters. For it following methods can be applied -

1. Free Imitation Technique - Under this technique student copy the model letters written by teacher. Model letters are written on flash cards. By using this technique students become self-dependent. Individual difficulties can be removed.

2. Kindergarten Technique - Under the Kindergarten technique, Kindergarten box is used. By joining pieces of wood or plastic of various shapes the letters are formed. This technique is full of pleasure. Kindergarten technique is appropriate for small children. But in India, teaching of English commences from class VI and the age group of 10-12 years. So, it is not suitable to use this technique.

3. Trading Technique - Dr. Montessori has also recommended this method. Tracing technique requires the pupil to make movements over the letter with a pen or pencil. The letters are written in dotted lines. Pupils learn by imitation and there is rare chance of mistakes.

4. F.G. French's Method - F.G. French suggests that pupils at beginning should not be taught writing English letter straight. They should be first taught to some hand movements either with finger with chalk on a brown paper.

Following procedure may be followed under this method -

(i) Students should be asked to draw strokes.
(ii) Students should be given practice in drawing circles.
(iii) New strokes and circles should be combined.
(iv) Pupils should be asked to make curves.
(v) Pupils should be asked to combine the strokes and curves.

Third Stage : Emphasis on Beautiful and Uniform Writing - Writing should be taught by using the following practices -

1. Copying - Copying helps to learn the conventions of writing capital letters. Students are asked to copy words, phrases and sentences from the black-board or book. Copying helps to reinforce the new structure. It fixes the correct spelling of words.

2. Caligraphy - Caligraphy is an art of writing in which a model word or sentence is written on the first line of the exercise notebook. Pupils write the same word several times, below the model word.

3. Dictation - Dictation is given to pupils to educate and examine. Dictation facilitates listening, understanding and co-ordination between ear, eye and hand. Pupils remain attentive and they follow punctuations.

Fourth Stage : Initiation to Competition Writing - Competition writing is initiated. The following exercises should be done -

(i) Building up short paragraphs in letters, stories etc.
(ii) Making single sentences
(iii) Making sentences in sequence.

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