" Most of all, stories are fun, and fun is sadly missing from our classrooms these days." p 24
Isn't this the truth how fun is so easily stifled with all the pressure to perform.
"I put my heart on the page when I tell the story." p 25
The other day I wrote with my students about their favorite person using our list of character traits. Since I have my own kids, I couldn't pick my usual favorite person because they might want to write about Nana, too. Instead I wrote about a childhood friend that passed away with cancer. It was tough and inside I wanted to abandon the experience but my kids wrote with more expression than I have seen the entire year.
"Talking through stories and possibilities before writing often helps to 'find' the story you really want to tell." p 27
Oops! I've felt if they sit and talk I lose them for writing. But when I assign to work in groups, some end up whining because they want to write their own story. I'll try letting them talk through their stories and possibilities this week.
"As teachers, we need to view children's writing through a nurturing, positive lens and notice all the small and big things kids do well." p 29
Okay, Julie G, now I understand better how you feel about grading for the report cards.
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3 comments:
I agree, we have lost the fun in the process to perform. Also, isn't modeling and writing in front of the students powerful. It does work!
It is fun to model with students and it is eye opening when the class writes a story together. They want to use the BEST nouns, the BEST adjectives, and the verbs that are full of action. :)
Jera,
I think the part in this chapter about letting your students talk it over before they write, affected me the same as it did you!! Oh my goodness! I have tried to do that in the past and it seemed I lost them too. We will be talking more during writing from now on. Look forward to sharing results of our writing with you!
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