As adults, we feel at ease writing when there is no pressure on what we write. However, as teachers, we need to provide students with this exact same experience. This passion comes from teachers that raise their expectations, but show the students how to do the necessary skills effectively and efficiently to become great writers. I am a strong believer that students should be able to pick the topics they want to write about. This gives students some motivation and passion, but within structure.
One of the most interesting parts of this reading was reading about how writers always write with a reader in mind and make their writing and thinking processes visible. Teachers should provide students the opportunity to write to a real audience or be able to read their writing to a real audience. This provides students with real world connections. It was interesting to read that as early as first grade, many children already dislike writing and lose their writing spirit and energy. Teachers can prevent children from feeling like this with a change of how they perform their writing block each morning. One element that I would like to incorporate into my own classroom was meeting regularly and having conferences with students to assess and give feedback on their writing. This could be beneficial in setting goals and noting strengths.
I enjoyed reading about how children need to experiment and play around with the pop culture stories in movies, video games, and sports. Most of all, these stories are fun and spark children’s imaginations. I know I always have those few students that have nothing to write about day in and day out. The list of topics that are easy for students to write about was helpful because most of the topics the children can relate to. This can easily be modeled in front of the class for those students that are having trouble getting started.
Erica, I found it important also to draw attention to their audience when writing. For some reason many students seem to forget that they can write for someone besides their teacher. It is also great to have a list of topics and different types of writing to fall back on when you encounter those students who just can never find something to write. I like your idea of turning it into a "teachable" moment for the class.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought that was interesting about reminding students to consider their audience, and to remember their audience is not always the teacher. That awareness can really make the writing process more fun and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI also noted the pop culture references. I need to let go of my aversion to so many of them and see them as starting points and opportunities. I just get tired of hearing about Justin Bieber, etc.! Though that makes me think that re-writing song lyrics might be a fun activity. Keep the rhythm, but change the words? I remember when my son was only interested in reading some pretty appalling comics in 4th and 5th grade (Spawn was one title ... shudder!), and I lamented with his teacher. She reminded me that he was reading, and it was something to build on.
I like your comments about writing with no pressure. This is when writing is fun! I have been writing a textbook for over a year. Although I enjoy working on it, I do feel pressure. Today it's a nice cool morning, and I would like to go for a walk, but I must write because my office gets hot in the late afternoon, and I can't concentrate well when I am sweating! So I feel the pressure.
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteI love how you talked about teachers placing pressure on students to write. It is so true that too many times we do pressure our students to write because they will have to write on the state assessment (at least they do where I teach). It is so difficult to not have the students feel the pressure.
As adults, we don't feel pressured to write because we can write for pleasure. I absolutely agree with you about giving students the opportunity to choose their topic and format. The students should feel pleasure not pressure when they are writing.
Comments by: Jacinda
ReplyDeleteUntil this class I never worried about who was going to be reading my writing. Creating this blog has added a little more pressure to me. I have to worry about what my classmates think about my writing. The students in my class feel pressure about grades and what I will think about them. Maybe that is why they don’t like to write. I look forward to encouraging my students to write more.
Comments by Ashlay:
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about exposing children to pop culture. They can really relate to certain role models. I believe students enjoy writing more, when there is an audience. It makes them feel important.