Evaluating Impact

We have been using the plan for almost two terms and have found it really beneficial. The children have the option to use the talk-to-text function to compose their plan or write it by hand.

Initially, children typically wrote only key words in their plan. However, most are now opting for the talk-to-text function to compose the entire plan. I have noticed a positive shift: they are consistently using more descriptive and varied vocabulary in their plans when they dictate them. This suggests that bypassing the physical act of writing is freeing up mental space for richer composition.

While it took a few weeks for our tamariki to consistently stay on track, they are now able to use the plan as a reliable anchor. In the beginning, some children were still writing a different recount in their book, ignoring their plan! But now, they successfully use the structure to maintain focus and write with clear purpose.

As our writing focuses have changed, I've found the planning structure remains easy and adaptable to use. For instance, when we focused on using time words to begin our sentences, we could easily add these elements to the plan. Similarly, when we worked on writing an impactful first sentence, we could draft that directly into the plan as well. Having this plan as our base has made it simple to build upon and integrate new skills as we progress through the year.