Hum.... This chapter makes me questions my techniques.
Q. Do I celebrate writing enough?
A. No.
Q. How can I celebrate more while preparing for a state writing assessment?
A. Conduct a writing show and tell. (As well as the author's chair I do now.) Copy good examples of student work, then share with the group; instead of analyzing and rating for the 6-traits so much. Display student work with big star stickers that say-Great Hook or Excellent Word Choice.
Q. How can I use everyday events as a teaching tool for writing?
A. Keep my own observation journal; then use these events for writing prompts or topics.
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4 comments:
I'm open for suggestions here.
Tammy,
I think you are not giving yourself enough credit. An "author's chair" in itself is a great celebration! Your water cycle keynote is also a celebration when the kids share with each other. Your students' blog also celebrates their writing, and as you said, they wrote more and more as they blogged. You are celebrating already. Sounds like you have some other great ideas to implement as well. Don't be too hard on yourself, you want it to be natural celebrating not forced. Go with what you have started, give it a try, and like she said 'notice the small stuff.' (not a direct quote, since I don't think she ever directly said those words)
Tammy, the other day, Tamara had us go on a writing walk. We headed down to the main office area and were told to write down things that we noticed.
My list went crazy. I had at least 50 writing topics. Everything to a Christmas card picture with the whole family in shorts to a colorful pinata donkey in the far corner. We even caught snippets of conversations that could be starters all by themselves.
I plan on taking my kids on one of these walks to give themselves topics. I know you feel you're on the chopping block with writing assessment at 5th grade but your kids might be able to come in each morning and add to a list of topics from their past evening or morning experiences.
Tammy,
Don't be so hard on yourself. I believe that one purpose of this study group is to encourage to question what we are doing and how we can do it better!! I also find that 6 trait rating is over-rated!! We do need to focus so much more on what our students are doing well. Sharing good student work is an excellent way to start!
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