I was excited to read that Regie Routman believes that the celebration of our students' writing needs to move right up front to become a major teaching tool. I agree with her that enjoyment and writing have not coexisted. I don't know how many times I have told my students, "Guys, don't worry about everything being correct when you write today." "Today, we want to celebrate ideas."
I know at the beginning of the year when I ask if anyone wants to share their piece of writing I have few volunteers. But, as the year progresses, more and more of them want to share. I can see that they are beginning to see themselves as writers and the affirmation from me and their peers takes away the fear of writing and gives them the freedom to take risks. It's true, the celebration process does seem to make them grow taller right before your eyes.
Regie talks about starting with a story on page 23 and I tend to agree family stories, traditions, and everyday happenings are great hooks for students. Freedom of topic is important! One thing I need to work on is writing more in front of my students. They see me use graphic organizers, lists, webs, and etc., but I think they need to actually hear and see my thinking/writing process.
Her closing sentence in this chapter, "Teaching, supporting, and expecting kids to do their best is where the fun begins." was powerful to me because of the word fun. More and more as educators we feel the test pressure, getting it right, or teaching to the test. Sometimes we wonder where is the fun, the joy? Personally, the joy and fun returns for me when I listen to a student's free choice journal entry, a story, a written response to a question in Guided Reading, a thank you note, or a letter.
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3 comments:
Well said, Julie! It is fun to watch students evolve as writers as they gain more confidence in their skills as an author.
Your students are so lucky to have you as their writing teacher! Your love for writing is contagious and I have learned so much from you too.
I agree with you on how much fun it is to see the students writing take off when they get a choice of what they want to say through their own writing. I know that I need to give them more time for them to write on topics of their own choice!
I have thought about your shared comment about your favorite time of the evening is curling up with your students' writing. That not only comes from the fun of writing but writing for a teacher that finds it fun to read!
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