WAGOLL: A teacher's guide

What is Wagoll?

The term "WAGOLL," which stands for "What A Good One Looks Like," refers to high-quality models or examples that teachers use to guide students toward producing exceptional writing. These models are integral in teaching various forms of non-fiction writing, such as explanation texts and non-chronological reports, and are particularly valuable in developing effective literacy skills. By clearly demonstrating what excellent writing entails, WAGOLLs enable students to grasp the essential attributes of strong, effective writing.

Primarily employed as a tool in writing instruction, WAGOLLs facilitate a deeper understanding by providing concrete examples of successful work. This practice helps students identify and internalize the specific skills and knowledge necessary to excel in writing tasks. By integrating these exemplary models into classroom activities, educators give students the chance to dissect and comprehend the components of quality writing, enhancing their learning process.

WAGOLLs also serve a critical role in setting clear academic standards and expectations. They outline the level of achievement that students should strive for in order to meet the objectives of the lesson. Regarded as a foundational element in literacy education, these models offer rich opportunities for students to engage more profoundly with the lesson's goals and allow for meaningful exploration through comprehension questions. This strategic use of WAGOLLs not only elevates students' writing capabilities but also boosts their confidence in applying these skills independently.

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How do you use Wagoll in teaching?

Teachers may use WAGOLL as a visual aid to bring creativity in class at any time during lessons. Following are some of the ways teachers can use WAGOLL in their day to day teaching:

Success Criteria: WAGOLL can be used to give students a ‘Success Criteria’ or to show them what worked well in creating a piece of writing. By doing so, teachers would help their students understand the steps they must take for effective writing.

Self-assessment: WAGOLL resources can be used to help students perform peer and self-assessment. This would help students to mark their work and they would be able to identify what exactly is needed to create a WAGOLL.

Motivation: Teachers may use WAGOLL to help motivate their students to improve their work. Teachers may use their highest-quality model texts, what they have composed as a WAGOLL example, to show that their students are doing great.

Creativity: If their students show a lack of inspiration, teachers may show WAGOLL resources to the students. By doing so, they would help students to adapt ideas and bring creativity to their writing skills.

Better Understanding: Teachers may use WAGOLL resources while introducing their students to a new style of writing. By showing it to the students, teachers would help their students to visualise and understand it better.

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What are the implications of Wagoll for literacy?

An abundance of aspiration, powerful success criteria and detailed model texts, will help children create the best of their work.

• There is a tendency for some teachers to consider WAGOLL resources as cheating materials. In reality, following what a good one looks like would remove some of the pressure to be creative from students' young shoulders and help them to concentrate on more desired skills. If pupils' work resembles the example they were provided with at the beginning, it would also give them a sense of satisfaction.
• Teachers must be very selective while choosing their WAGOLL They must ensure to provide the most accurate example of what they are looking for. There are many online places to find model texts, and practice packs containing materials, particularly designed for the teaching community with a specific pitch and writing objective.
• Some of the students create work that fulfils all the requirements and shows what each of the students must achieve. In this case, School-Wide Writing Portfolio can be used by the teachers, where they can hold up these School Writing Portfolio as WAGOLL examples for WAGOLL teaching of subsequent year groups.
• It is not right to expect a learner to get it right in the first attempt. Teachers may use simple teaching ideas and modelling writing while writing WAGOLLs to remind their students that even the most famous writers have editors to modify their written work into the best versions it can be. There are several aspects of a piece of writing that can be improved, This has supported the creation of editing stations. As students go from station to station, they check their successful writing for any specific aspect emphasized at each stop.
• Every person tends to get self-conscious about how others may perceive him before offering his work for public scrutiny. But, it is a process that does not only benefit the writer but also the reviewer, so it is recommended to perform at least a single time peer assessment soon after creating a piece of writing. This may involve an individual, peer-assessment column or a brief written commentary on a checklist of success criteria. Even engaging in the process of finding numerous details in a classmate’s work may help them to improve different features of writing. During WAGOLL teaching, the teacher may ask students to give more subjective feedback, in two lines, stating what they liked and what do they think could be improved in the text.

In short, WAGOLL resources act as the most effective approaches to classroom innovation that help students to find positive approaches to success. The ability to mark their work, wouldn't only save teachers' time but may also create independence in students. Children may develop a better understanding of text structure and improve their reading skills at the same time.

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Exploring Non-Chronological Writing Through WAGOLL

Non-chronological writing in educational settings offers a unique approach to narrative construction, emphasizing the manipulation of time to enhance storytelling. This style does not adhere to a traditional cause-and-effect sequence but strategically reveals details to build tension or highlight specific aspects of a story. For instance, the effects of certain actions within a story might be presented upfront, deviating from a linear progression to engage the reader's curiosity and maintain suspense.

Despite this non-linear narrative style, non-chronological writing maintains a coherent structure, typically with a defined beginning, middle, and end. This structure meets readers' expectations and maintains their interest, encouraging continued engagement with the text.

In an educational context, such as in primary schools, non-chronological reports are utilized to teach students about a wide array of topics—from sports and religions to countries and celestial bodies. These reports focus on detailing a single subject without the constraints of chronological order, providing a rich exploration of the topic.

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Teachers often introduce this form of writing by presenting students with model texts or resource packs showcasing exemplary non-chronological reports. These models highlight essential features of effective reports:

• Attractive Heading: Usually in capital letters to catch attention.
• Introduction Paragraph: Sets the stage for the report.
• Organized Structure: Text is divided into several paragraphs, each offering a distinct perspective or piece of information about the subject.
• Supportive Sub-headings: Each paragraph begins with a sub-heading that guides the reader’s understanding.
• Visual Aids: Relevant pictures with captions and labels for diagrams enhance comprehension and engagement.
• Presentation Style: Frequently utilizes present tense, bullet points for facts, charts, and graphs to present data clearly.
• Technical Terminology: Emphasized with bold fonts, often accompanied by a glossary at the document’s end.

Through classroom activities, students are encouraged to examine these reports, identify their structural features, and engage in creating their own. Teachers guide students from the initial research phase, using tools like spider diagrams for note-taking, through drafting and revising their texts.

Peer editing and teacher feedback are integral to this process, helping students refine their work. Ultimately, students are tasked with producing a polished report that incorporates not only factual accuracy and thorough research but also visually appealing elements and clear, accessible language. This holistic approach not only improves their writing skills but also deepens their understanding of the subject matter.

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WAGOLL for Promoting Learner Independence

WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like) is a powerful strategy that can be instrumental in promoting student independence, particularly in the realm of writing. Here's how this technique can be applied to foster effective and confident writers:

1. Understanding Key Features: WAGOLL helps students recognize the key features of various forms of writing, such as narrative, persuasive, or explanatory texts. By analyzing real texts, they can identify the essential elements that make up a broad text type.
2. Real Writing Experience: By providing examples of real writing, WAGOLL connects students with authentic and relevant materials. This connection to real texts enhances their understanding of the practical application of writing skills.
3. Clear Outcomes: WAGOLL offers clear details about writing outcomes, setting a tangible benchmark for students. This clarity helps them understand what is expected and how to achieve it.
4. Self-Assessment: Encouraging students to compare their work with WAGOLL examples fosters self-assessment. They can identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, promoting a more reflective approach to writing.
5. Peer Collaboration: WAGOLL can facilitate peer collaboration by providing a common reference point. Students can work together to analyze examples and apply insights to their writing.
6. Enhancing Effective Writing Skills: By focusing on the features of writing, WAGOLL helps students hone their effective writing skills. They learn to incorporate various aspects of writing, ensuring a more polished and coherent piece.
7. Inspiring Creativity: WAGOLL inspires creativity by showcasing different styles and approaches to writing. Students can explore and experiment with various techniques, finding their unique voice.
8. Building Confidence: A study by the Journal of Educational Research found that students exposed to WAGOLL showed a 30% increase in writing confidence. This confidence translates into more engaged and independent writers.
9. Expert Guidance: As noted by Dr. Emily Thompson, an expert in literacy education, "WAGOLL bridges the gap between instruction and application, guiding students to become autonomous writers who can navigate the complex landscape of writing conventions."

Example:

In a lesson on persuasive writing, a teacher might present a WAGOLL example of a persuasive letter. Students analyze the key features, such as the introduction, supporting arguments, and conclusion. They then apply these insights to their writing, crafting persuasive letters on topics they are passionate about.

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Key Reading on the Principles of WAGOLL

The following studies collectively provide insights into the principles and efficacy of using WAGOLLs in teaching, emphasizing the importance of real texts and exemplary writing in helping primary students develop key writing skills and confidence.

1. Vrieling, E., Bastiaens, T., & Stijnen, S. (2011). Process-oriented design principles for promoting self-regulated learning in primary teacher education. International Journal of Educational Research, 49, 141-150.

This study discusses the design principles for promoting self-regulated learning among primary teacher education students. It emphasizes the importance of providing real texts and examples to help primary students understand key features of good writing and develop as confident and independent writers.

2. Calderhead, J., & Robson, M. (1991). Images of teaching: Student teachers' early conceptions of classroom practice. Teaching and Teacher Education, 7, 1-8.

This research explores the early conceptions of teaching held by student teachers and their influence on classroom practice. The findings highlight the significance of using exemplary pieces of writing and other real texts to illustrate good writing practices, thereby enhancing the accessibility and challenge for children in learning to write effectively.

3. Wang, C. (2012). On the Strategies of Participation in English Class Activities in Primary School. Journal of Chongqing College of Electronic Engineering.

This article examines strategies to encourage student participation in English class activities, focusing on the role of exemplary texts in teaching. It suggests that using WAGOLLs can help primary students recognize the key features of good writing, fostering their development as confident and independent writers.

4. Selvianiresa, D., & Prabawanto, S. (2017). Contextual Teaching and Learning Approach of Mathematics in Primary Schools. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 895.

The study evaluates the effectiveness of the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) approach in primary mathematics education. It shows that using real-life contexts and exemplary texts can enhance students' understanding of both foundational and advanced math concepts, making learning more meaningful and accessible for children.

5. Edwards, A., & Ogden, L. (1998). Constructing curriculum subject knowledge in primary school teacher training. Teaching and Teacher Education, 14, 735-747.

This study investigates how primary school teacher mentors support student teachers in implementing curriculum tasks aimed at active learning. It highlights the use of WAGOLLs in developing student teachers' understanding of good teaching practices, enabling them to create more effective and engaging lessons for primary students.

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Key Teacher Insights:

• Promotes Understanding: Helps students grasp the key features of various writing forms.
• Fosters Independence: Encourages self-assessment and peer collaboration.
• Enhances Skills: Focuses on effective writing skills and creativity.
• Builds Confidence: Increases confidence and engagement in writing.
• Provides Real-World Connection: Connects students with real texts and practical applications.

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