I need your help on a controversial issue?

Question

Carol Chomsky in her article says "children should learn how to write first and then read later?"
How can I teach a child to write before they learn to read? I know that this might be a controversial issue as others might believe differently, but if i was to try this idea in my classroom, what are some activities or lessons in which i could teach children (pre-K - grade one) how to write before they learn how to read?

Answer 1

caligraphy, drawings of letters in oriental style writing...

Answer 2

I would take it a little less literally and with a grain of salt. I am guessing that she was talking about older children.

I think she is commenting on the fact that for many writing is just copying someone else's thoughts and style. Perhaps she means that one should develop one's own style and express one's own thoughts before they are overly influenced by the thoughts of others.

Obviously the children need to know how to form letters and words before they can engage in 'writing'.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it either way though. Trust your own instincts and do what you think is right. There are many different good ways to learn and using a variety of methods isn't a bad thing.

Answer 3

read first then spell.

picture this .... your kids learning how to read. asking you if they read it correctly, and you say "yes, your doing great." ... i can just picture the smiles....

just imagine how happy your kids will be if they can read their names and know exactly what it looks like and how to pronounce it.