Do you worry about how effective you are at teaching writing to primary-aged children? It wasn't until I began using the strategy of 'Writing Conferencing' with children over ten years ago that I recognised the improved progress of all my pupils. If you haven't heard the phrase 'Writing Conference', bear with me while I give you some background and then I will explain the term.

Until then, I had just used various stimuli as inspiration for creative writing, modelled writing on the board and offered spellings. Marking was generally done at home, where I would write constructive comments for points of development and positive reinforcement.

However, I began wondering why I spent many hours writing comments on children's work, only for this advice to be ignored the next day when the same errors would be repeated. It led me to consider who I was marking for. It is not that I am recommending that you don't add such comments, only that I believe these alone are over-rated in terms of their impact on improving children's writing.

Then after reading a chapter on 'Writing Conferencing' I had a revelation. It made such good sense that I adopted the practice. Sadly I can't remember the book, but I have a lot to thank that author for.

The basic premise is that children learn the strategies for improving their own work, errors and points of development are discussed and this in turn leads to a greater independence. You are teaching the child to think for himself. For example, he learns nothing from a teacher adding the punctuation to his work or making alterations in his absence. Whilst I am not advocating doing away with marking work, just relying on this approach to provide feedback can lead children to feel their work is devalued. It is a view shared in a paper referred to in an article on 'Feedback and Marking' published for use in Scottish schools.

Feeling sceptical? Don't, because it works! Trust me!

It is verbal feedback rather than written comments that make the difference to the quality of children's writing. This strategy of having 'Writing Conferences' can be used with children throughout the primary school, particularly from Year 2 to Year 6 (ages 6 - 11 years). If used as a consistent approach throughout the school year you will see stunning progress. Where the strategy is adopted across the school, then it is even better.

Find out more about what a 'Writing Conference' is and a suggested approach in my next post.