PLC Project: Reading and Writing in First Grade

Reading and writing can come easily to some children in the first grade. But for others,

reading and writing can be extremely challenging. Identifying early signs of difficulty writing

and reading in a first grade student is vital to their future academic career. Authors of

Identifying Writing Difficulties in First Grade: An Investigation of Writing and Reading

Measures Kristen D. Ritchey and David L. Coker Jr. discuss common academic struggles for

first graders. According to Ritchey and Coker, The importance of writing achievement also

extends beyond school because clear and cogent writing is required for a wide range of

professions (National Commission on Writing, 2004), and writing difficulties may limit the

economic opportunities for adults (Katusic, Colligan, Weaver, & Barbaresi, 2009) (Coker, et al,

2014). All children learn differently and literacy is essential to each childs future. By

understanding the signs of struggle and effective ways to teach reading and writing, first grade

students can thrive and achieve their maximum potential.

There are many telltale signs and red flags that a child is struggling with reading or

writing. In her article Early Signs of a Reading Difficulty, Susan Hall talks about identifying

students with difficulty reading and writing. Some signs to notice include Difficulty

manipulating sounds in words is one of the hallmark characteristics of reading difficulties and

can be seen at a young age. Your child might struggle with rhyming, word games, or recognizing

words that start with the same sound (Hall, 2009). Many of these skills come easily to the

average child. However, some children struggle and need extra assistance. Some other signs

include a small vocabulary and reversing or mixing up letters. When it comes to writing, some

signs of issues include Writes slowly and painstakingly, is easily overwhelmed by writing

assignments, and Refuses to write or do work that involves writing (Patino, 2014). Children
with trouble reading often become frustrated when writing and either make guesses or give up all

together. Though reading and writing can be very challenging for some students, there are many

ways to teach these skills that will benefit each child.

There are multiple theories on the best way to teach first graders reading. Children should

first have a basic understanding of the alphabet and each letters sound. This often begins

between preschool and kindergarten. Peg Tyre, author of Yes, theres a right way to teach

reading, talks about a school principal in Connecticut named Lucille DiTunno whose school is

taking a different approach to teaching reading. Teachers in DiTunnos school are using science

based approach, where each teacher sits with each child and determines if he or she knows the

letters and their corresponding letter sounds (Tyre, 2016). By doing this, the teacher is able to

identify areas to work on and how best to teach the child. Following letters and sounds, children

then go on to reading books based on their ability. Also, teachers use songs, dancing, and

movement as ways to help students better understand letters and words. Knowing the abilities of

each student and working with every student individually has proved to be beneficial in

classrooms. According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences on preventing reading

difficulties in young children, recommends first-grade instruction that provides explicit

instruction and practice with sound structures that lead to familiarity with spelling-sound

conventions and their use in identifying printed words (Learning First Alliance, 1998). Children

often struggle with reading and writing because they lack understanding of spelling to sound and

phonics. This is when students begin to guess and use context clues rather than trying to spell out

the word. Following the understanding of the alphabet and phonics, students can become

stronger writers and spellers.

 Along with reading, writing does not come easily to all children. In their article Content

and Mechanics: Understanding First Grade Writers, authors Stacia M. Stribling and Susan M.

Kraus talk about how best to help children with writing. Before learning proper writing, students

need to be assured that their opinions and experiences are valued (Kraus, et al, 2007). Kraus and

Stribling say Writers first need to have a genuine purpose for writing and become comfortable

in taking a risk before learning all of the conventional rules of writing (Routman 1991) (Kraus, et

al, 2007). Students need the desire to write and encouragement to become successful writers.

After learning that their feelings can be expressed and put onto paper, students can then be taught

the rules and guidelines to writing. Kraus and Stribling say that students need clear and direct

feedback on their writing, This feedback should focus on all the components of writing: ideas,

organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation (Kraus, et al,

2007). This feedback will help each child know their strengths and weaknesses. Also, students

will learn the teachers expectations and how to correct their mistakes.

Reading and writing is essential to every childs education and is a very important aspect

in the first grade. It is important to know and understand the ways to teach writing and reading to

students in order to benefit them in the long run. With guidance and perseverance from parents

and teachers, every first grade student should be able to succeed in reading and writing. Knowing

the signs of struggle for first graders, along with the best ways to teach reading and writing, first

grade students can excel and grow as learners.

 Work Cited

Lapkin, E. (2014, June 23). Understanding Your Child's Trouble With Reading.

L. (1998). First Grade Instruction.

Ritchey, K. D., & Coker, D. J. (2014). Identifying Writing Difficulties in First Grade: An

Investigation of Writing and Reading Measures. Learning Disabilities Research &

Practice, 29(2), 54-65.

T. (n.d.). Common Problems in Elementary School Writing.

Tyre, P. (2016, April 18). Yes, there's a right way to teach reading | Parenting. Retrieved October

31, 2016, from

Date Completed: Fall 2016
Date Submitted: Spring 2017
Title of Artifact: PLC Project
Standard: Standard Nine Professional Learning The teacher engages in ongoing individual
and collaborative professional learning designed to impact practice in ways that lead to improved
learning for each student, using evidence of student achievement, action research, and best
practice to expand a repertoire of skills, strategies, materials, assessments, and ideas to increase
student learning.

I am placing my artifact, PLC Project, under, Standard Nine- Professional Learning, as evidence
of continued mastery towards improving student learning and effectively teaching for all learning
styles. Throughout their careers, it is important that educators are constantly seeking to expand
their knowledge to best benefit students. In my artifact, I discuss the methods and best practices
for teaching children who struggle with reading and writing in the first grade. I also discuss the
use of a variety of methods to promote student achievement. This is evidence of my
understanding of differentiating instruction to improve learner performance.