How Long Do We Have To Write?

The minimum time for America SCORES 3^rd-5^th grade writing classes is 2 hours a week and many of the schools we work with are able to offer more than that.  Researchers have proven that students need to write every day for varied purposes and audiences to become fluent, competent writers (Graves 2004; Fletcher 1993; Murray 1989). Given the demands and distractions of the modern school day, the America SCORES program could be a students’ best chance to write in a fun, safe and authentic environment, about whatever topic they choose.  Consider the following quote from writing researcher Donald Graves:

"If students are not engaged in writing at least four days out of five, and for a period of thirty-five to forty minutes, beginning in first grade, they will have little opportunity to learn to think through the medium of writing.  Three days a week are not sufficient.  Only students of exceptional ability, who can fill the gaps with their own initiative and thinking, can survive such poor learning conditions.  Students from another language or culture, or those who feel they have little to say, are particularly affected by this limited amount of time for writing." (A Fresh Look at Writing, 104)

Writing classes must happen at the same time and place every week.  Students who know they will have a routinely scheduled after-school writing class are more likely to become authors.  That is, they will begin to notice interesting things to write about while they are in the car, playing soccer, or eating dinner, because they expect to have room to share their stories with America SCORES friends every week.  Students who do not know when their class will happen will never expect to write, and so we should not expect them to write either.

As Jane Yolen said; “Exercise the writing muscle every day… Writers are like dancers, like athletes.  Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

Write On,

Marty Mannion

Education Director