When the 4th grade writing test was begun, I felt bound and gagged. Everything revolved around narrative, summary, and response to literature. I felt desperate to make sure my students knew what these were, what they looked like, and the process to write one.
In the meantime, all of the good opportunities for writing seemed to fly out the window.
Inspired by our workshops this year, a science grant I took part in (yes, science! writing! it's all connected), and a desperate desire to improve a teaching area I feel weak in, I've been starting to research best practices. Besides all the technology I've mentioned, I'm also looking at the low tech, old school methods of teaching writing.
National Writing Project - 30 Ideas for Teaching Writing
http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/922#Nineteen
Love this! Great ideas and suggestions. Next year I'm bringing more of their lives into the classroom, and less of what they are "supposed" to know.
Teaching That Makes Sense
http://www.ttms.org/
I'm curious about this. It was recommended on the ProTeacher boards. Anyone heard of it?
Step Up to Writing
The publisher site is here. Our school just purchased it. Overwhelming (I use that word a lot, don't I?). How does it contrast with authentic writing? I like its strategies: graphic organizers, prompting, visual cues. Good for low students and ELL's.
Six Traits
If there were a Six Traits weeklong workshop nearby, I would be there in a heartbeat. I wish I had had some kind of training in this framework. I see bits and pieces of it, but want to incorporate it more.
The main trend I'm noticing is that writer's workshop should be approximately 60 minutes per day, with 10 -15 minute mini-lesson, 2-3 minute state of the class, 20-40 minutes of writing/conferencing/publishing time, and 10-20 minutes of sharing. With a class set of laptops, and all the writing tips and tricks that I'm seeking, I think this will be my goal for next year. Any thoughts or suggestions (not that I've actively publicized this blog, but if you're still reading, please let me know!)
Marijuana - A Warning To Kids
2 weeks ago
Your post made me think. I do lots of workshops and length is always a concern.
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ReplyDeleteThe workshops are much necessary for students as well as for teachers. These workshops are helpful in inventing new objects. Students present their items which they have prepared on these workshop. There is need to organize these workshops on regular basis to promote new things.
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