How to teach copying

06:25 Unknown 0 Comments

I've noticed lately that some of the kids struggle a lot when they have to copy some words or phrases either from the blackboard or the book. The extensive use of computers doesn't help matters because it is much easier and quicker to use "copy and paste" method than re-type the message by ourselves. Nevertheless, this skill is very useful not only in the classroom, but in the real life too. That's why the teacher has to lend the helping hand.

Tip #1. Disguised copying

When my 6th graders were getting ready to write an article about Spain, I gave them the following task: I handed out the blank tables with the headings for each column such as "Location", "People", "Food", etc., and a list of sentences to fill in the table. Of course, the students are tempted to number the sentences and simply fill in the table with the numbers, but I insist on copying the sentences, because it will improve not only their copying skills, but also their spelling, as well as make them better prepared for writing an article on their own.

Tip #2. Broken telephone or Whisper writing


Everyone knows the oral version of this game, but it may also be adapted to writing. I give one student at the back of the room a strip of paper with the sentence and he/she has 10 seconds to memorize it and write it down as soon as the strip of paper is taken from him. The procedure is repeated with the other students and the last one writes his or her sentence on the blackboard to check if it is the same as the original one.
This activity may be started from both sides of the classroom simultaneously or may be given during some other work, so as the students will be kept busy and won't have the chance to disrupt the discipline.