Making Writing Connections to Comprehension Strategies

Brenda Hill
Dec 15, 2008

Teachers consistently plan for reading and writing instruction but often do not make connections between them. It is important, especially for younger or struggling students, that reading and writing connections are made. Student learning and application of reading and writing strategies should be so intertwined that it is difficult to see where one stops and one begins. As reading comprehension strategies are taught in teacher-directed whole group instruction students should also be writing.  In addition, writing should be directly related to the reading comprehension strategy and focus.

So, what are some ways to connect writing to reading instruction?

1. Make sure writing is embedded throughout whole group
teacher-directed instruction (on grade level).

Example:  Reading Comprehension Strategy -
Literary Elements

Beginning of Lesson (Activating): Teacher reads story to
students -  students make foldable to use as graphic organizer in teaching strategies component of the lesson plan - (foldable used as advance organizer for teaching; previews key vocabulary; is short embedded writing assignment)

During the Lesson (Teaching): Students complete organizer made at beginning of lesson - students use the organizer to summarize learning in 1-2 statements.  (Summary Point Writing)

End of Lesson (Summary):  Students write "Letter to the Absent Student" explaining literary elements and their impact on a story

2. Connect assignments - writing or homework - to the lesson essential question which focuses on the comprehension strategy.

Example: Students apply learning of literary elements from class and complete another organizer for homework - will serve as a prewriting organizer and writing prompt for a narrative story

3. Make writing assignments for application and practice of
the comprehension strategy.

Example: Students use literary elements organizer completed as a homework assignment to write a narrative in class during the writing block - narratives must include all literary/text elements.

These are just a few ideas for connecting reading comprehension strategies to writing. REMEMBER: The focus should be on teaching the comprehension strategy. Content only supports the teaching of the strategy. Standards drive our instructional practices and focus.

Click on this link for more Learning-Focused writing resources.