Teaching a child how to write an argumentative essay, a factual narrative, or anything else is hard. Most of us never learn to write well with ease (I'm looking at me). I wonder how to teach writing most effectively, in grade school and beyond.
I think SWB, in "The Complete Writer," disagreed with the usual advice to "give the children high-interest assignments and have them write, write, write, and revise, revise, revise."
But what other way is there to teach writing? I have just ordered SWB's book, so I will soon see her ideas first-hand, but I wonder what has worked for others, if not write, revise, and repeat. I see that "Imitations in Writing," by Matt Whitling, is a program that involves the student attempting to rewrite a classic piece of writing. That';s different, and it sounds promising--learning by imitation.
Well, what has worked for any of you? What methods or programs? What hasn't worked?
Thanks,
Gary