Radio Commentary
People
generally talk about reading and writing together. Certainly, many of the
skills that make children successful at one make them good at the other.
For
example, one important reading skill that benefits from writing practice is
identifying of details.
Parents
should encourage children to provide details in their own written stories. This
will help them become more aware of the way other authors use detail.
One
writing exercise requiring details is to have children give directions. Ask
them to write very specifically how to get from home to school, or how to make
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
When children write
thank-you notes to friends or relatives, have them describe in detail the item
and how they will use it.
You
can also have children use a clipboard when watching TV. Have them jot down ad
slogans that use good details.
They
might write down phrases such as “the brightest, sharpest photos” or “crispy,
crunchy crackers.”
Children
can also take the clipboard along on family outings. Ask them to describe the
“prettiest” thing they see on the trip, or the most “unusual.” Then challenge
them to list as many details as they can.
One
way teachers measure improvement in young writers is to look at their use of
details. The same is also true for improving reading comprehension: details
matter.
