Colasanto, Andrea

Writing and Motivation: Incorporating Choice into the Junior Classroom

Keywords: writing, choice, motivation

Abstract

This research examines how students in junior classrooms respond to writing, when provided with choice and when choice is not provided. The purpose of this study is to explore the inclusion of choice in narrative writing tasks with a look at student and teacher perspectives. The study attempts to answer how teachers implement choice in writing, and how choice might influence motivation and growth in students’ written skills. Participants for this study were exemplary teachers chosen to share their views and knowledge on writing, effective writing programs, and providing choice in writing. In addition, the progress of a sample group of Grade 4 students in a junior classroom within a board in the Greater Toronto area was tracked during a narrative writing unit in order to look at the extent to which choice played a role in their motivation for writing in light of the literature on this topic. Findings suggest that when teachers use engaging activities and student-generated experiences in order to incorporate choice into their narrative writing lessons; this can lead to the conclusion that choice greatly influences student motivation, and subsequently growth in written skills.

Acknowledgements

There are many individuals whom I wish to acknowledge and thank, whose help and support throughout this journey I am very grateful. I would first like to thank Dr. Susan Schwartz, my research supervisor, and the faculty at OISE in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning department, who have made this research process a wonderful experience, and have given me much support and guidance. Many thanks to my research participants for sharing their knowledge and insights with me about the wonderful work they do in providing students with choices in their writing. To all my friends, who have also embarked on such a wonderful journey, this has been a once in a lifetime experience that I am glad to have shared with all of you. Finally, sincerest thanks to my parents Tony and Anna, my sisters Natalie and Marlena, and to Dan for giving me never-ending support and always believing in me.