I gave 2 classes my little writing survey last week (one class is a yr4/5 and one is a yr5/6). Totally anon of course with only a B or a G to distinguish between the genders. Yesterday I was collating the results and came up with some interesting findings - oh my goodness - no wonder our kids don’t like writing!!!

Of the 60 (ish) children surveyed - all of them write for their teacher at school, with the next most common answer was friends with 14 children saying they also sometimes wrote for them.  Parents were the third most common answer.

At home most children answered that they wrote for their parents and extended family.

Sadly, across both catergories (at school/at home) only 15 children answered that they wrote for themselves.  THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.

Some of the more perceptive children answered that they wrote for portfolios, display and the principal.  Not exactly a real and authentic audience.

If we want our kids to become better writers (who enjoy writing) we need to provide them with an authentic audience where people will read, comment and converse with the kids rather Mr/Mrs So and So at the front of the class…..

Does any of this surprise you????