Moving from oral narrations to dictation to independent narrations

[MomN]

I have a first grader who currently does oral narrations.  Can someone explain to me the process for transitioning (in second grade-ish) to him doing his own narrations?  I saw a little about this in the WTM book - starting with him copying his narrations after I write them out for him.  Also, starting dictation - he can dictate simple sentences that I give him.  So what now?  Do I start having him orally narrative and write it down and then repeat it back to him for him to try and write himself?  I anticipate he will need lots of help with spelling, so do I just help him whenever necessary and take it really slow? 

Any help is much appreciated!!!

[Lori D.]

Are you using Writing With Ease I? That is the WTM writing program that can be used in grade 1. Using the Writing With Ease series (levels 1-4, as fits the student's working level in grades 1-5) would guide you through this process.

Or... don't know if it helps, but here are excerpts from a handout from SWB: The Complete Writer overview handout:

COPYWORK - gr. 1-4
1st grade: Copy sentences every day from good writers
2nd grade: Write single sentences from dictation
3rd grade: Write two to three sentences at a time from dictation
4th grade: Write paragraphs from dictation

Purposes:
- Create a visual memory of proper written langage
- Form a visual picture of proper written language from spoken words Hold words in head long enough to get them down on paper

Techniques:
- Repeat until student can repeat back to you
- Warn student of upcoming punctuation challenges
- Use your voice to indicate punctation and other elements Give all necessary help in spelling and punctuation

NARRATION - gr. 1-4
1st and 2nd grade: Narrate to parent
2nd and 3rd grade: Narrate to parent and take dictation
4th grade: Narrate to tape recorder

Purposes:
- Develops skill in original expression without demanding creativity in content
- Teaches student to identify the central elements of narratives

Techniques:
1st - 3rd grade: Guided narration
4th grade: Move away from guided narration
_________________

Fifth and sixth grade:
learning to outline, while continuing to write narrative summaries as in third and fourth grade

Seventh and eighth grade:
rewriting from outlines

Goals of middle grade writing:
- Learn to construct outlines through modelling
- Learn to write from outlines through modelling
- Begin to write responses to literary works
_________________

High School Writing
Develop skills in persuasive writing

[Zoo Keeper]

SWB also talks through this process in her audio lecture...currently *free* in WTM store!  https://welltrainedmind.com/p/a-plan-for-teaching-writing-focus-on-the-elementary-grades-mp3/

[MomN]

This is absolutely fabulous.  I do use WWI, and this is exactly what I need. TY Lori D. and Zoo Keeper!

[MomN]

On 3/17/2020 at 8:05 AM, Zoo Keeper said:

SWB also talks through this process in her audio lecture...currently *free* in WTM store!  https://welltrainedmind.com/p/a-plan-for-teaching-writing-focus-on-the-elementary-grades-mp3/

Just downloaded this.  Can't wait to listen!