Reflective Journal-1 Writing Acquisition Weekending 12 th September, 2025 As a foreign language teacher, I am naturally inquisitive about all the developmental processes of the language Arts, and therefore, writing is naturally one of them. During the course of this week, the process of quenching my writing knowledge thirst started, with the task of doing personal studies of literature that exist, internalizing its significance, and expressing its impact on my knowledge and philosophy, of writing development. As expected, the principle of its development in stages was highlighted, as is the case with the development of all skills. Though man-made, the results of research (which the documents I read were based on) seem to show a natural human predisposition to developing the art of writing, with a somewhat predictable pattern for everyone; even children with exceptionalities. Like listening and speaking, a...
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Why Writing Does Not Always Follow the Rules
In this week's episode of LIT102, we explored the writing process from different perspectives, which really made me see things in a new light. We looked at how children naturally go through the stages from brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing, and noted that it is rarely a straight line. They jump around, revisit ideas, try different approaches, and figure things out as they go. It can appear messy, yet flexible, and full of learning moments. Then we compared that with how teachers often guide students through the process step by step, like there is only one “right” way to do it. That made me think about how structure can help, but it can also limit creativity if we are not careful. I realized that as teachers, it is important to understand the process from the child’s perspective and give them space to explore, make mistakes, and find their own flow. Seeing all the different approaches also made me reflect on...
Reflective Post 2: Understanding the Writing Process
Through my observation and understanding, I have come to realize that at the lower level of the primary department, the writing process is not usually introduced in its entirety. Instead, it unfolds gradually, becoming more complex as students progress through the grades. After our recent discussion, I was able to appreciate that writing can begin as early as Kindergarten. At that stage, the emphasis should not be on producing perfect work, but rather on encouraging children to explore and express their ideas. I also discovered that writing is indeed a “messy” process. It involves drafting, editing, and revising many times before arriving at a final polished piece. Interestingly, as one of my classmates pointed out, I was already engaging in the writing process without realizing that I was following the steps , I just never attached a formal label to it. This experience has highlighted the importance of teacher training in the writing process. Teachers need to understand how to guide s...
Reflective Post 1: The Value of Understanding the Stages of Writing
Learning about the different stages of writing really opened my eyes to how students’ skills develop over time. The first three stages are mostly seen in the lower grades (K–3), while stages four to six appear as students move further along in school. For instance, emergent writers often begin with scribbles and drawings, while early writers use letters and invented spelling to form words and simple sentences. One of my classmates pointed out that writing can actually begin as early as Kindergarten. That insight reminded me that writing doesn’t have to be perfect at first; it’s a messy process of trial, error, and revisions before reaching a polished piece. I also realized that even the earliest attempts, like scri bbles or drawings, are meaningful and should be celebrated as the first steps in a child’s journey as a writer. As an educator, this makes me think about the importance of realistic expectations. I can’t expect a Grade 1 child to write like a Grade 6 student, b...
Reflection 1: Stages of Writing Development
Last week, we conducted our own research on the Stages of Writing Development before the teacher introduced us to those outlined in ROG (2007). In my research, I came across the work of Teale and Sulzby (1986) , which provided me with some insight into how children transition from scribbling and drawing to more conventional forms of writing. Then, our teacher later showed us the stages of ROG. It was interesting to compare what I had found with that of ROG's. It was then, during my research, that I realized what I used to think of as “just scribbling” actually has real meaning. Teale and Sulzby describe how those early marks are a critical part of the preliterate stage, and ROG confirmed that children’s random symbols and drawings are not meaningless but are their first attempts at written communication. Before, I might have dismissed these as play, but now I see them as the very foundation of literacy. ...
Why Writing Matters in the Primary Grades?
Writing is more than just a classroom activity; it is a powerful tool for communication, creativity, and learning. In the primary years, children are not only learning to form letters and words; they are also discovering how to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Here are a few reasons why writing is so important in the primary grades: Supports Learning Across Subjects: Writing helps children reflect on what they learn in the different subject areas. A simple journal entry can deepen understanding. Builds Confidence and Self-Expression: When children see their words written down, they begin to value their voices. Writing allows them to tell their own stories and share their unique perspectives. Develops Critical Thinking: Writing encourages children to analyse, compare, and explain ideas. Even at a young age, it helps them think more deeply. Preserves Culture and Identity: In Caribbean classrooms, writing is also a way to capture our ...
Welcome to Trio of Thought!
We are Cami George, Gloria Wells, and Polly Jeremiah , members of a Literacy (LIT) group dedicated to promoting writing in Caribbean classrooms . Each of us brings unique experiences and perspectives as educators, but we are united by a shared goal: helping young learners express themselves with confidence through writing. Through this blog, we will share our reflections, strategies, and insights , documenting our journey as teachers in training while exploring innovative ways to support literacy development in our students. Our hope is to inspire both teachers and learners to see writing not just as a classroom task, but as a meaningful tool for communication, creativity, and cultural expression. Trio of Thought!