What is it?
Shared writing, also known as predictable chart writing, is a collaborative literacy activity where a teacher and students co-create a text based on a predictable or repetitive pattern. In this approach, the teacher facilitates the writing process while students actively contribute ideas, words, or phrases related to the chosen topic. The text is typically written on a large chart or whiteboard, allowing students to see the writing unfold as they participate. Predictable chart writing emphasizes the use of familiar language patterns, predictable structures, and repetitive elements, making the text accessible and engaging for emergent readers and writers. This interactive activity promotes literacy development by reinforcing sight words, phonemic awareness, and sentence structure, while also fostering oral language skills, creativity, and collaboration.
How to use it?
To conduct shared writing or predictable chart writing in the classroom, start by selecting a topic or theme relevant to the students' interests or curriculum objectives. Gather students around a large chart paper or whiteboard where the writing will take place. As a group, brainstorm ideas related to the topic and discuss key vocabulary or phrases. Encourage students to contribute words, phrases, or sentences, which the teacher can write down while modeling spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Throughout the process, engage students in reading and rereading the text, pointing out patterns or predictable elements. As the text evolves, review and revise together, ensuring clarity and coherence. Once completed, read the text aloud together, reinforcing comprehension and fluency. Shared writing and predictable chart writing offer valuable opportunities for collaborative learning and literacy development, promoting engagement, creativity, and language skills in the classroom.
Why use it?
Shared reading and predictable chart writing offer numerous benefits, particularly in early literacy instruction and inclusive education settings. These collaborative activities provide opportunities for students to actively engage in the reading and writing process while scaffolding their learning. Shared reading promotes literacy development by exposing students to rich and varied language patterns, vocabulary, and text structures in a supportive and interactive environment. Predictable chart writing, on the other hand, allows students to actively participate in the creation of written texts, reinforcing phonemic awareness, sight word recognition, and sentence structure skills. Both approaches foster a sense of community and collaboration in the classroom, where students can learn from each other's contributions and build confidence in their literacy abilities. Inclusive classrooms benefit from shared reading and predictable chart writing as they accommodate diverse learning needs, providing differentiated instruction and promoting active participation among all students, regardless of their abilities or background.
