Blog entry by Shona Sanjuan
In early 2019, the district was facing a challenge in middle school English classes - students appeared disinterested in writing. The administration, led by Curriculum Director Barbara Langley, decided to revamp the current writing curriculum by leveraging unconventional yet intriguing workshop ideas. They planned a move beyond traditional writing exercises, forming a collaborative brainstorming team of teachers, specialists, and even a few high-achieving students.
Phonics games transform the learning process into an adventurous journey where the child explores letters, sounds, and words in various fun-filled ways. Be it through a traditional board game, a card game, or an online game, kids are constantly interacting, guessing, and forming words—instead of simply memorizing them.
Through this innovative writing workshop, middle school students rediscovered writing as a fun and engaging activity, a tool for expressing imaginative thoughts and ideas, and an avenue towards understanding a diverse world. As such, the case of Lincoln schools offers a valuable lesson for educators worldwide seeking to inspire the new generation of writers.
The crux of these phonics games is learning through interactivity. Children become well versed in the basics, such as letter sounds, syllable division, and blending, while engaged in these enjoyable gameplay experiences.
One such workshop was "Time Capsule," where students collected articles, facts, and pictures about a chosen era, crafting stories as if they lived in that time. Another engaging experiment was "Science in Fiction," where students wrote stories incorporating scientific concepts. Art-oriented students were catered with "Art Narratives," where students used a chosen artwork as a foundation for a story or a poem.
Incorporating tech tools designed for education could be another excellent approach. E-books, audiobooks, and digital reading apps can make reading more interactive and engaging for digital natives. It adapts to the digital inclination of the young generation while promoting a reading culture.
Phonics games aren't just 'another teaching method.' They are teaching techniques wearing the ingenious disguise of 'fun-filled activities.' These games subtly incorporate phonics, helping kids understand the relationship between written and spoken language through enjoyable activities.
To encourage middle schoolers to read, it is crucial to empower their autonomy. Allow them to choose their reading materials. Be it comic books, novels, biographies, or nonfiction – once they enjoy it, they're more likely to engage. Offering a variety of materials can introduce them to many different genres and topics, broadening their interests and creating a more positive reading experience.
After four months of implementing this method, a marked improvement was noticed among the students. They were not only generating ideas but also articulating them effectively in their essays. Their grasp of grammar and vocabulary had significantly improved, reflecting in their essays.
Firstly, teaching children the art of time management can unleash an unprecedented shift in their learning curve. According to leading educationist, Dr. Linda Silverman, "Learning to manage time wisely is a key skill for success at school and beyond." A structured routine where specific chunks of time are allocated for studying, extracurricular activities, and leisure can make a world of difference.
Book clubs or reading groups also provide a social context to the act of reading. It fosters a sense of community, enables them to share their thoughts, insights, joys, and even the frustrations that come with reading. It brings reading to life, opening it up as a shared experience rather than a solitary act.
Moreover, the community tie-up also improved students' communication skills, cultural understanding, and respect for diversity. The publishing party was a massive hit, boosting students' confidence, and in some cases, revealing exceptional writing talents that were previously unnoticed.
One cannot ignore the power of role models too. Parents and guardians who take time to read increase the likelihood of their children adopting reading as a natural part of daily routines. Likewise, educators who express enthusiasm for reading can affect students' perspectives significantly. Role-models who avidly read might inspire middle schoolers, hence the phrase 'actions speak louder than words.'
The new approach was implemented in the fall of 2019. Within months, significant improvements were noted in the students' enthusiasm for writing. They eagerly participated in the workshops, were more engaged during writing assignments, and displayed noticeable improvements in their writing skills.
The team decided on a series of unique, engaging, themed workshops to inspire creativity and challenge students. Each workshop was designed to be interactive and multi-disciplinary, bridging various subjects like history, science, and art into the writing perspective.