The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of the writing process approach in improving
written expression (composition) skills of 5th grade students in primary education. The research was
designed as an action research.
The study was conducted through the 2007-2008 education year, the spring term in a primary school
in a Turkish course with 5th grade students. In the study the writing process approach was
implemented. The data of the study were collected through “video records”, “reflective diaries”,
“teacher diaries”, “composition tests”, and “balanced literacy control forms” via quantitative and
qualitative data collection tools. The analysis of the data was split into two phases: the analysis during
data collection and the analysis after data collection. In the analysis of quantitative data, the “SPSS for
windows” package program was used. In the analysis of qualitative data a descriptive method was
used.
The findings obtained from quantitative data in improving the written expression skills showed that
students improved. However, qualitative data did not support this result. While students showed
improvement in the “outer structure” dimension of written expression, in the “inner structure” and in
language and expression dimension of written expression, this improvement was observed as limited
compared to “outer structure” dimension.
Results from the qualitative data revealed that during the improvement of written expression skills the
teaching writing process through balanced literacy components in an interactive teaching environment
makes progress in these skills.
It was observed that the usage of balanced literacy components in written expression affected the
students’ class participation positively. Moreover, it was seen that the interactive teaching environment
helped students in improving intellectual skills.