The writing component involves writing an exposition or essay.
They must state an opinion and give reasons for this opinion.
They are provided with stimulus for their thinking and
guidelines for how to go about their exposition. Quite generous.
Last year, when my first was in year 3, prior to the tests in
May, the English component of her school work was wholly
occupied with writing expositions. She had to write so many
expositions that by the time the tests were over and done even
her poetry came out like exposition. However, it wasn't an easy
experience. I don't know what to write! I don't have an opinion
about that! I don't want to make one up! I'm not supposed to
make one up! The topics didn't interest her. Children should be
allowed to chew gum in class. (class?) TV is better than books.
(What's TV?) We should conserve water. (Why? Our water tank
constantly overflows. It rains all the time.)Mostly there were
tears. And now my second is in year three. We are no longer
enrolled in an Australian school so N