What instructional strategy involves a teacher and children composing messages together?

The correct answer is shared writing. This instructional strategy engages both the teacher and children in a collaborative process of composing text. During shared writing, the teacher acts as a facilitator, guiding the children through the process of generating ideas, selecting words, and actually writing the text. This interactive approach not only helps students understand the mechanics of writing but also encourages their participation and builds confidence in their writing abilities. By experiencing writing as a social activity, children learn the value of collaboration and develop their communication skills.

In this context, independent writing focuses on children writing alone, which does not foster the same level of collaboration and guided support. Peer writing certainly involves collaboration, but it usually occurs between children rather than with a teacher. Dictation, while it may involve a teacher and children, typically does not engage the children in the decision-making process of composing messages but rather focuses on them reproducing what the teacher says. Shared writing is distinct in its emphasis on joint composition and active participation of students in the writing process.