What is Independent Writing?
“All students must have access to the full alphabet to make progress in learning to read and write”
Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities, Caroline Musselwhite
What does writing look like at an emergent level
A emergent writer is one who is learning to use written language to express communicative intent, and beginning writing is defined as starting with emergent writing (drawing, scribbling, and writing letters) and ending with conventional writing abilities, usually acquired by second or third grade for typically developing children.
(Strum, Cali, Nelson, & Staskowski, 2012).
Beginning emergent writers
A beginning emergent writer doesn't yet know that they are a writer and/or they don't yet understand that there is a difference between print and picture. They need an opportunity to scribble with print and have us attribute meaning and assume competence - which then teaches them that print has meaning and that text is a code for speech. We also give them lots of positive reinforcement because they need to develop a strong self-image of themselves as a writer. Students at this level are also often receptive communicators.
Comprehensive Literacy for ALL, Jane Farrell
ELI: Alphabetic & Phonological Awareness