Whether you're a student, an educator, a parent, or just a concerned private citizen, and wherever in the world you may be, as the Black Lives Matter protests that began in the United States have unfurled and spread to various other parts of the world, you might have found yourself asking, "What can I do?" We had the same question. We have taken some time to think, reflect, and listen before offering some perspectives on how we feel we can help you help others.
The global literacy rate is around 85%, yet writing is a problem for a majority of students. If students are unable to write well and communicate in an appropriate fashion, not only will their educational prospects be limited, but their professional and job prospects as well. As educators, it is our responsibility and duty to help students to write well, and we can always use more tips to help in this ongoing endeavour to empower students as they master the written word.
Nearly every jurisdiction and every curricula at every grade has some learning outcome related to writing goals. There are various "writing across the curriculum" goals, and it can sometimes be overwhelming. As educators, we know that the best way for students to improve their writing is by practising more and more. Yet, how many of us have time to provide feedback on a daily or weekly basis on student writing? What if we aren't the English teacher? Do we still have to help with writing outcomes? What other ways can we help students improve their writing, especially if we aren't the English teacher?
Most high school curricula require students to develop critical thinking skills that they demonstrate by being able to both peer- and self-edit written work. Developing the ability to look closely and critically at one's own work is difficult. Helping students to see the component parts of a piece of writing and analyse each bit at a time can help.
