by Tenagne Turner
Writing workshop is a very special time for my students and I. It is something we take very seriously and pride ourselves on. We know that staying on task and staying committed to our writing during this time will help us become better writers. And so I asked myself, what am I doing now to help my students become better writers now that the foundation and the structure of writing workshop has been laid?
Reading the first couple chapters in How's it Going really gave me some important things to think about and reflect on as I continue to build and strengthen the young writers in my class. One of the most important things I have chosen to reflect on is how conversations with a writer helps to build confidence. It is an opportunity to show that we care about the creativity and ideas that thrive in young minds. Too often do I catch myself focusing my writing conferences on the product instead of the writer.
I want to begin to refer and conceptualize these conferences as conversations. I want to set goals for these conversations so that they can flow naturally and that both the student and myself can feel responsible for our role in the conversation. I think that these conversations can highlight what the writer is thinking as the plan their writing and can also focus on how to become a better writer. It is just as important to record these conferences for future planning and reminders of what students are working on. I am going to be more diligent about utilizing a writing conference record sheet.
My goal for these conversations will be how focused on helping students become better writers. I used to view the conversations as opportunities to allow the student to talk in circles about what he or she was writing about today. These kinds of conversations are important as they allow the child to express herself and makes her feel important, but at the end of the day, it did not help the child become a better writer.
I have been really trying to step back and examine my role as one who facilitates and guides learning in the classroom. Specifically, during writing workshop, I often expect my kids to independently use strategies that I've modeled without giving them space and opportunity to practice using those strategies while I am guiding them. My first step this next couple weeks is to make I sure I check in with every writer and just ask them the initial question of "hows it going?"
The product instead of the writer! That's it. Those are my thoughts that I tried to jumble up in my blog as the issues that I was having in my writing block. Thanks for your eloquence, Ms. Turner!
ReplyDeleteI also love that you are thinking through giving your students the time and space to practice strategies. I remember you mentioning that in your other blog. It is so important that they have that time! I struggle with my mini lesson being too long and then my students not getting practice time and then the skill gets lost in all of the other craziness. I have been working recently on them getting to work on the skill as soon as it has been presented to them. It has worked so much better as the students implement quickly and then develop over time. I am able to come behind them in conferencing and check in on that skill building by seeing what they have practiced - hence the nitpicking that I am working on!
Keep those creative minds working!
Kelsey Ferguson
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tenagne. I really empathized with the following statement that you wrote: "Specifically, during writing workshop, I often expect my kids to independently use strategies that I've modeled without giving them space and opportunity to practice using those strategies while I am guiding them." I, too, was reminded that we should be having our kids practice the strategies during the conferences so that they can do this on their own.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you want to start organizing your conferences by writing them down and keeping track of them. I started doing that a few weeks ago and it actually has been very helpful because we can refer back to what we talked about last time and it keeps both me and my students accountable for reaching their goals. I think that this will really help you as a writing instructor.
As always, it's lovely to read your reflections. You inspire me!
Tenagne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so open about your thoughts and your writer's workshop process in your class. I too make the mistake of modeling something and expecting my students to get it right away without giving them adequate time and practice to really make meaning of it or practice with it. I love the question of "how's it going" and I realize that I ask them that question typically when I am referring to their day in general, I never ask them that in terms of how things are going with their work progress. I think that is an excellent goal and one that I am sure you will see great things from.
I am also excited to hear how your conferences go with your students. Setting goals and holding both yourself and the student accountable for what is being accomplished in the writer's conference is great! I can't wait to hear how everything goes, your classroom seems like such an inspirational place!!
-KM
Tenange,
ReplyDeleteWhat a practical way to set a first goal with your students about writers workshop! Just by simply asking the question to see what is going through their minds throughout this writing process. I think just by opening up with the question of "How's it Going" or "What are you doing as a Writer Today?" students will feel empowered ov overtime just by the change of language use we have with them and giving them a platform to express their thoughts. I think you are doing a very good thing my starting off with just working on the change of language use and slowly easing in to everything else.
(From Ashley, comment above)
ReplyDelete