In chapter nine it talks about the teacher's role in the writing workshop. The teacher's job is to create an environment in which students are comfortable and willing to share. It also discusses the importance of having structured routines in place so that if a teacher was not in the class the students will still be able to learn and grow as writers. I have actually been able to observe my mentor teacher taking on these kind of roles in the classroom. My teacher creates an open environment in which the children are not ashamed to say "I don't get it" and they love to share their ideas with others. She does this by respecting the children and the children respect her and each other in return. She encourages the children to help their classmates, and always shows interest in their ideas. Her interest in their ideas motivates the children to want to share more. I love how she never tells the children that their ideas are not good; she always finds something positive to say.
Having a broad range of resources available to the children is also important in a classroom environment. In my classroom I have noticed that the bookshelf is not very extensive. One of the girls in my class is struggling in reading. I asked her if she likes to read, and she said that she likes comic books. Unfortunatley our classroom does not have any comic books, but I think if it did she would be more motivated to read.
I like how the book pointed out that teachers don't always have time to model writing during class. I agree that even though teachers are busy they should use past examples of their writing pieces to share with their students. It lets students know that their teacher values writing and is not just teaching it to cover a standard.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Here goes nothing
Writing Workshop
Honestly , until about a week ago I had never owned a laptop that actually worked. I am familiar with facebook and writing papers but other than that I feel very uncomfortable using a computer. This class makes me kind of nervous, because I feel like I am not as computer savy as my classmates. However, I am glad this course will push me out of my comfort zone and help me become a writer using a different medium. I like to to write, but I have always found more satisfaction using a traditional pen and paper. This blog will be my attempt to adapt to the modern world, so here goes nothing..
The concept of having a classroom writing workshop seems very foreign to me. I have never had any personal experience with this, but I wish I had. Writing was always used as a punishment in my classrooms. Essays were always seen as assignments or practice for AP Exams. It wasn't until I got to college that I began writing for enjoyment. The satisifaction that I got from writing about what I wanted was more of a learning experience than anything that I experienced during school. The book Writing Workshop, by Katie Ray coincides with alot of the beliefs that I already have about writing. For example I like how the writing workshops are organized in a way that students are encouraged to write with some "real-world outcome in mind, some purpose for the writing beyound just gettting it finished". I strongly believe that if students don't see a point or purpose to what they are writing about then they arn't going to put alot of effort into it. If students are just writing to make the teacher happy then I don't think it is beneficial to their growth as writers. I like that the workshop allows alot of personal freedom for the students to pick thier topics to write about. I can't remember a time in high school when my teacher gave an option for us to pick a topic to write about. There was always a prompt or dictated topic. This always made me feel like I was being forced to write, and in turn made me have negative feelings toward writing in general.
Writing is a essential skill that students need to practice and develop over time. It is needed to communicate ideas and to support their lives.Teachers need to spend the time to help students develop and appreciate how valuable this skill is. Writing workshops are a great way to help students develop a confidence and an identity in their writing. Anyone can be a writer. The overall success of a writing piece is majorly dependent on the satisfaction of the writer.
Honestly , until about a week ago I had never owned a laptop that actually worked. I am familiar with facebook and writing papers but other than that I feel very uncomfortable using a computer. This class makes me kind of nervous, because I feel like I am not as computer savy as my classmates. However, I am glad this course will push me out of my comfort zone and help me become a writer using a different medium. I like to to write, but I have always found more satisfaction using a traditional pen and paper. This blog will be my attempt to adapt to the modern world, so here goes nothing..
The concept of having a classroom writing workshop seems very foreign to me. I have never had any personal experience with this, but I wish I had. Writing was always used as a punishment in my classrooms. Essays were always seen as assignments or practice for AP Exams. It wasn't until I got to college that I began writing for enjoyment. The satisifaction that I got from writing about what I wanted was more of a learning experience than anything that I experienced during school. The book Writing Workshop, by Katie Ray coincides with alot of the beliefs that I already have about writing. For example I like how the writing workshops are organized in a way that students are encouraged to write with some "real-world outcome in mind, some purpose for the writing beyound just gettting it finished". I strongly believe that if students don't see a point or purpose to what they are writing about then they arn't going to put alot of effort into it. If students are just writing to make the teacher happy then I don't think it is beneficial to their growth as writers. I like that the workshop allows alot of personal freedom for the students to pick thier topics to write about. I can't remember a time in high school when my teacher gave an option for us to pick a topic to write about. There was always a prompt or dictated topic. This always made me feel like I was being forced to write, and in turn made me have negative feelings toward writing in general.
Writing is a essential skill that students need to practice and develop over time. It is needed to communicate ideas and to support their lives.Teachers need to spend the time to help students develop and appreciate how valuable this skill is. Writing workshops are a great way to help students develop a confidence and an identity in their writing. Anyone can be a writer. The overall success of a writing piece is majorly dependent on the satisfaction of the writer.
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