Using the Not So Simple View of Writing in the Classroom

“Writing is such a struggle for my students. How do I help them?” ask teachers everywhere.

“Why do we have to write?!?” cry kids all over the world (probably).

Although I’m not prepared to answer the latter, I can definitely help with the former. Let me introduce you to the Not So Simple View of Writing, coined by Berninger and Winn in 2006.

Writing is a complex process that requires our brains to do multiple things simultaneously. If you pat your tummy and rub your head and say the ABC’s backwards at the same time, you’ll get a sense of the physiological feeling that happens when kids are asked to write.

It may be helpful to envision a student who struggle with writing as you read the next part. Let’s think of the Not So Simple View as a three-legged stool. If one leg is weak, the stool is weak.

Transcription is the physical act of writing- the manual labor that requires gross and fine motor skills, core strength, hand-eye coordination, and muscle memory. If transcription skills are weak, writing is weak. Text generation is the coming up with words to write, putting ideas in order, and discerning the best order of words in sentences and ideas in paragraphs. If text generation is weak, writing is weak. Finally, executive functions are the self-regulation skills we need to set goals, attend to task, work towards our goals, and remain committed. If Executive Functions are weak, writing can be weak. All these processes are connected by working memory: keeping letters, words, phrases, sentences, and skills readily available for use.

Now think of your student: which part of writing does that student struggle with? It may be one part, it may be more than one, and that’s completely normal.

Once we’ve identified the area of need, we can make a plan to address it. I’ve got a few posts lined up with tips and tweaks that merge research and classroom practice.

If your student struggles with transcription, read more here: coming soon!

If they struggle with text generation, read more here.

If they struggle with executive function, read more here: coming soon!

For the full text on the Not So Simple View of Writing, click here. For a great take on it by Joan Sedita, click here.