The Enacted Writing Curriculum

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the official writing curriculum at Mutituni and Nyika primary schools. The writing practices in both schools were very similar apart from copying words off board. This was very common at Mutituni primary school because of the shortage of literacy materials. The common writing practices in both settings included responding to grammar questions from the textbooks, filling blanks, dictation of words from the teacher, and handwriting. Learning to write in both contexts was a construction of a product, hence mechanical in nature. In addition, in both schools, the writing activities were often embedded in reading lessons. This chapter also discusses how talk is crucial as children learn to write. It gives them agency in their learning.