John
Collins Writing Program
The Collins Writing Program is
used in grades kindergarten through grade 12 across the curriculum. The Collins
Program consists of five types of writing. Some assignments are designed simply
to help students get their ideas and paper and discover what they already know
about a topic. These assignments are called Type One assignments
and are evaluated very simply--did the student do it or not? Type One
assignments are not designed to be compositions or essays. They are simply ways
to guarantee that your son or daughter is thinking about a topic.
Type Two assignments require that students
provide correct information in response to a specific question. In Type Two
writing, teachers do not judge the quality of the writing--just the content.
Type One and Type Two writing assignments are designed
to be completed quickly and promote thought.
Type Three and Type Four writing
assignments are designed to produce ideas and to develop writing skills.
Type Three and Type Four writing assignments use a concept called focus
correcting. Focus correcting is based on the belief that student writing
improves more quickly when the student works to improve a few writing problems
at a time. It is hard for a teacher not to correct every error on the paper,
but on Type Three and Type Four assignments, teachers will indicate errors on
papers in only one, two, and three areas. These areas will be announced and
explained in advance so that students can focus their energies on them. The
focus correction area will be listed on the top left-hand side of each Type
Three and Type Four writing assignment.
Type Five writing assignments are the most
difficult because they require the student to produce publishable work, that
is, work that is as free as possible from all errors. In some cases students
will do a Type One assignment, edit and revise it so that it becomes a Type
Three, and finally polish it so that it becomes a Type Five. This system
encourages students to think, take chances, formulate ideas, and polish ideas
into finished compositions.
Parents often ask, "How
can I help?" Here are a few suggestions: First be aware of the five types
of writing assignments and realize that sometimes assignments will not have to
be perfect. Be a helper and an encourager, not a critic. Provide a quiet place
to write with good lighting and a dictionary. Talk about assignments and help
your daughter or son get many ideas. And, if you are asked to review a
composition, read it out loud. Ask if it sounds right. You will be surprised at
how many of their own mistakes they will be able to hear.
Collins, John J., Ed.D. (1997.) Developing Writing and Thinking Skills Across the Curriculum: A Practical Program for Schools. The Network, Inc.,