Chapter 12 WW and Field Experience

My 2nd graders have been learning about persuasive writing and about letter writing. They have gotten the opportunity to write letters to the other student teacher in Mrs. Clark's classroom while her dad was in the hospital. They also wrote persuasive letters to their parents trying to convince them of something fun they should get to do over spring break. They seem to really enjoy writing in letter form, and I have seen them grow as persuasive writers. It is interesting to see the many tactics that they use to convince their audience. They seem to realaly understand and fully grasp what it means to persuade and have gotten  many opportunities to practice being persuasive with real topics that they care about. They have also successfully learned the mechanics of letter writing through this in depth study. I think that this has been a great unit of study as it talks about in chapter 12 of the book., They get to do a lot of self selected writing while still learning major components of what good, effective writing is.

When I taught my science unit last week I had the students integrate their science knowledge and persuasive writing skills. The science unit was about temperature. The students were given the opportunity to make up a place, temperature for that place, clothing they would wear and activities that could be done there. After they had the opportunity to brainstorm those different components they then wrote a persuasive advertisement for that location. They were given the option of trying to persuade someone to come to their location. I think that they really enjoyed getting to be creative, use their science knowledge, and use their persuasive writing skills. They are almost finished with this project, and I can't wait to see how they all turn out.

My class loves to write and it's cool to see their creative ideas come to life on paper! I can't wait to continue to see them grow as writers throughout the rest of the semester! I think their teacher does a great job teaching writing and that writing is a really big focus in their classroom. It makes a difference!

Chapters 7,8,19 WW

The materials provided for a writing workshop can encourage creativity. It is true that when students are able to explore with materials in any subject area they are more prone to working hard. They are encouraged to be creative and to explore different ways to tailor their writing habits.  They are also more encouraged to make writing their own when the supplies are readily available to them.When students are allowed to move around the room the same creativity occurs. They are able to find an area where they will work best. They are able to choose from so many different options, whether they decide to move to the quiet corner or work alongside productive chatter. When it is planned out in a set fashion all of this moving doesn't encourage chaos, but it is a part of the rhythm of the day. Children need to make the space and environment their own and I think the things I mention help to shape that.

I think that writing workshops need to be chaotic in an organized way. I don't know how well my mentor teacher would do with this type of enviroment, but I believe that it could definitely be productive when given the correct structure. Students should be doing all different things and that is ok. I think it would be hard to know what each of my students are doing in order to keep tabs on their progress, but that's ok. That is when the classroom really isn't just owned by the teacher, but the students have the ownership too. They are able to work hard and are motivated to do so. This is whent he structure comes in. It would be hard to put a writing workshop in a box, that is true. I think that makes it exciting! I can't wait to see how the writing workshop in my classroom will shape up. I also can't wait to see how it will change and become better through the years.

Students need to make a goal with their writing. I agree that publlishing makes kids excited about what they can create. It makes them proud and encourages them in their writing. I remember that I always loved to get to share my published writing in school throughout elementary and high school. I can't wait to get my students encouraged in their writing. I want them to look foward to their writing, have goals for themselves and get to applaud their clssmates.

WW Chapters 14,15,17

During my field experience I have not yet seen a teacher conference with a student about their writing. In fact, I do not remember ever conferencing about my writing at such a young age. The only time I conferenced with my teacher about writing that I can remember was during English 1102 and during my AP Literature class. Other than that I have never seen the act of conferencing played out though I agree that it is quite essential in order for a teacher to build up a student and encourage them in their process of being a writer. I feel like it does not just help with the students learning of writing, but it deepens the teacher student relationship. It gives teachers an opportunity to make their student feel the importance they need to feel while still showing them how to improve. That is the best environment a student can be in to learn as we read about when studying classroom community for EDEC. It is important that conferencing is not just pointing out errors in students writing, but it is providing them a place to explore and develop their writing. Besides benefiting the students conferences allow teachers to evaluate their teaching along with their tactics for teaching certain methods. It is beneficial and will definitely be implemented in my classroom. I can't wait to have experiences with conferences, I know it will tell me a lot about my students.It will be hard with some students at times, but I think it will become easier with practice and as the students feel comfortable opening up to me and sharing.

Share time is an amazing part of  a writing workshop that can sometimes be imtemidating. I know that there are often way too many judgements surrounding a group of students which make sharing time difficult. Once the classroom community is already open to sharing during other aspects of the day I feel like this is not much of a burden. If the students are in a welcoming environment they will be open and excited about their work. Sharing is a great way for students to grow as writers and learn from each other. I love seeing students share what they know about any topic!  Sharing creates students who support each other in their writing. I think it also creates confidence for normally shy students who don't talk during whole group discussions. Sharing time needs to be structured but there are many ways that can be done, giving students an aboundance of opportunities to share!

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Chapters 9,10,13 of Writers Workshop

Something that really jumped out to me was a part of chapter 10 that talked about conventions. There are many conventions that students struggle with, but this chapter gave me great redirection regarding teaching these conventions to students. I agree that it is definitely better for students to be taught certain conventions that they are struggling with in a small group or during individual instruction. I will also remember after reading this chapter that it is often wrong to assume all of my students have the same need in regards to conventions that they need more instruction on. There are sometimes blanket conventional practices that can be directed towards the whole class. I saw this occur in my classroom as my 2nd graders were learning about transition words. They all needed to come to the understanding of what a transition word was, and it was helpful for all of them to try using them in their writing. I think that was a great choice of topic made by my mentor teacher, due to the fact that almost all of the students were being introduced to the topic of transitions for the first time.

I think another topic that really struck me was allowing students the opportunity to write outside of school. They are thus able to see writing apart from schoolwork. They are able to better see how writing can really become a part of their daily lives. I think that this is a great idea to encourage for all students in every grade level. It is a great way to really get to know your students and it is a great way to allow them to explore themselves while becoming writers. They will become more confident and will also have more constant writing practice that doesn't feel like a burden. Writing can put so much into prespective and I think that children can write in ways that can surprise us. We can begin to see their dreams, struggles, and the depths of who they are. I will definitely make sure that my students get constant opporutnities to just write, in the classroom and at home. I think it tells so much about a person.

Chapters 1-5 of The Writing Workshop

When I was observing in a 4th grade class last semester the writing time given to the students only consisted of writing to the standards on most days. They hardly ever got the opportunity to write for themselves or explore topics of choice on a regular basis. The classroom was not set up in a way where the students took  initiative for what they were writing. They were not confident in the process of becoming writers. I think that when the book describes being a writer as an identity to take on it is a very practical idea that most teachers don't embrace. It is true that teachers often don't feel confident in their own writing, as can be said about other subjects as well. I think it is necessary to embrace the topic and be enthusiastic about its implementation. It is vital for teachers to create an environment where students can grow as writers. At the end of a year in a classroom where a writers workshop is correctly implemented all of the students should feel much more confident in themselves as writers.

When reading the chapters I realized that there are so many things that are essential in making a writers workshop work. I think that the most essential element in making something like this successful is spending intentional time being engrossed in the workshop. I agree that in an ideal classroom it would be great to have a writers workshop each day, but am not quite sure that in reality that would happen. Thus, it is quite important to create your own writers workshop rhythm as a teacher. I am excited to continue to learn more about how to make the writers workshop that I implement my own, for my students to grow and learn to the best of their ability. I know it is necessary to spend time frequently writing, without integration of other subjects. I think that this book will open my eyes to many ways I can do this effectively!

Does my life make sense?

I was listening to the Passion 2011 live web stream @ live.passion2011.com/ and Francis Chan was speaking. His talk was convicting, challenging me in my walk with the Lord.

Do I live like I believe in Hell? Would somebody see the joy of the Lord radiating from me in the good times and bad? Do I act upon my faith and really live out loud, or am I passive about who I am in Lord? Does my life make sense in light the amazing truth that the gospel is? Do I live selectively in my faith, or can I praise my Father no matter the church scenery, fancy music, or other embellishments that seem to draw the crowds?

What does it truly look like to live my life devoting my all to the Lord? I don't think I know. I know I am far from living each moment for Him. I don't spend time with him because I am desperate for more of Him each day. I want to be desperate for the Lord. I too often think I can get by on my own with a little help from the Lord. That doesn't make sense to me, he should be my everything. I want to feel like I can not live each day to the fullest without spending time with Him, he should be my motivation in each decision, in each step.

Will my life "make sense in light of the gospel" in 2011? I sure hope it will make more sense, that I will grow so much closer to the Lord.