Effects of Strategy Instruction with an Emphasis on Oral Language and Dramatization on the Quality of First Graders’ Procedural Writing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of strategy instruction with an emphasis on oral language and dramatization on the quality of first graders’ procedural papers. Participants were 121 first grade students who attended a rural school and six teachers. Students and teachers were randomly assigned to condition. Instruction lasted for 9 days and professional development and coaching were based on video and online observations. Teachers completed an efficacy questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study and participated in interviews. Twenty students (n = 10 treatment) were also interviewed at posttest. Statistically significant differences were found for writing quality with the treatment group outperforming the control (p <.001). The Professional Development (PD) and coaching via videos were positively perceived by teachers. Implications for future research and limitations are also discussed.