Chapter 14
The
take-away from this chapter…there are 7.
1. Believe in the voices that once led us. We learn
to write by writing. This is something that I have embraced this year with a
free write journal. The students can
write about ANYTHING but I do have a topic available if they feel they need a
starter.
2.
Believe that the human spirit is too elusive, to
vast, and too diverse to be defined bt a single assessment. This is something
that I believe wholeheartedly, even outside the realm of writing. Why don’t the
powers that be understand this?
3.
Believe that we can and must create assessment
to match our vision of good writing instruction. This is a constant area of
struggle for me. I am always looking to improve in this area.
4.
Believe that students can write. I am believing
this more and more as I am figuring out how to teach my students. I also see
this through the writings of my 7 year old in first grade and even 5 year old
in preschool.
5.
Believe that writing isn’t just a skill for
school, but a skill for life. This is very true and I know that as a 34 year
high school graduate, college graduate twice, a former counselor, and a current
adolescent Language Arts teacher. To have students of positive school
experiences understand this is a challenge, much less students that have
nothing but negative school experiences.
6.
Believe that voice is power. This is exactly
what I hope to teach my students through their journals.
7.
Believe that you can teach. This is a constant
work in progress for me. This is one of the reasons that I enrolled in a
teaching writing class. It has truly helped!
Erin, I love your theme about believing. For some, it may just seem optimistic, but I truly believe that when we genuinely believe in our students it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sometimes I find when I clearly, but briefly, demonstrate a strategy and then give ample time for students to show me themselves...they frequently amaze me!
ReplyDeleteI like how you have a reflection on this chapter with a unifying voice and style -- almost poetic. I believe it is a strong positive philosophy that gets us up in the morning, and dedicated to do the hard work of teaching every day. You are right, the "powers that be" need to look to more than just numbers on a page.
ReplyDeleteErin,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that students need to be able to write as it is a vital skill they will need for the rest of their lives, even if they do not go onto higher education. Writing is a skill they will need no matter what they do. Most successful writers have a good base of positive writing experiences.