Thinking Deeply about Primary Education Writing First, Assessment Second: A Conversation with Chris Youles
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Mar 30, 2025 Join Chris Youles, the Assistant Head Teacher at Taipei European School and author of several teaching books, as he dives into the complexities of writing assessment. He discusses how current assessment systems often disconnect from effective teaching practices. Chris advocates for a storytelling approach that enhances engagement and understanding. He emphasizes the need for teachers to enrich their subject knowledge and offers practical advice for transforming writing instruction, moving beyond rigid assessments to a more holistic framework.
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Core Writing Elements Missing
- Writing assessment feels difficult because teaching starts with lists rather than deep understanding.
- Teachers often miss fundamental story elements like point of view and goals that define effective writing.
Teach Pacing Through Effect
- Focus teaching on story pacing to help students control narrative speed.
- Use action to speed pacing and description or introspection to slow it, giving students clear tools.
Early Writing Overloaded With Criteria
- A Year 2 student wrote about the Great Fire of London with unclear cause and effect just to tick assessment boxes.
- This shows how lessons focused on criteria can undermine meaningful storytelling.
