In the past, I have gotten hung up with the term "writing workshop." I felt I wasn't teaching the writing process, especially isolated skills if I didn't use that term. I have rethought this since reading page 174. Regie writes, "Think of writing workshop as the time in which everything that writers do to create a meaningful piece of writing for a reader takes place. You don't have to call it writing workshop; just call it writing. It can be journal writing, assigned writing, writing in math and science." Prior to reading this chapter when I thought of writing workshop I usually associated it with me teaching a new skill or writing strategy. According to what she writes the definition of writing workshop includes many best practices. I now know what writing workshop is not.
I agree that writing requires a daily commitment. I have always valued writing and I know that is why I find time in my schedule for daily writing. I have found with my 3rd graders that writing on a regular basis does lead to fluency. I liked the list of topics she included on page 178. Worthwhile topics is one of the keys to a great piece of work.
I feel I am doing fine with freewriting and limiting the use of graphic organizers. I need to do more demonstration writing. In addition to more demonstration writing, I plan to have my students use the "turn and talk" at their desks more.
I have noticed that when I am conferencing one on one with students my other students are listening and seem interested in our converstation. That's fine, but it got me to thinking that maybe I could reach more students, simplify conferencing, and still make conferencing meaningful by implementing some whole group and small group conferencing as Regie suggests. I'll see how that goes ...
I liked the Short Writing Projects with Simple Criteria on page 198, and as always, I learn from her Teaching Tips. I wish I could find time to create a notebook of these Teaching Tips. Maybe my students and I could create a notebook together. I will have to give that idea some thought.
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2 comments:
Julie,
I have used the turn and talk with my students and it is amazing that such a simple idea has such a big impact. I still feel I need to have more conversations about writing. This is something I incorporated a lot in 5th grade, but have for whatever reason not included as much in 6th grade.
It always amazes me how writing workshop looks different from year to year. Some years I've had kids that just dive into writing time and things go so smoothly and yet other years it feels chaotic and painful. I have to admit those years that it doesn't run smoothly are the times that I need to sink my teeth into it even more but I'm sometimes guilty of shying away. After reading Reggie's book, I will work hard to keep digging through and making writing time a priority.
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