Ironically, the chapter on writing has my mind all over the place. Instead of paragraphs this week I am going to create lists, which is usually how I plan my forum writing for the week.
Things I feel I am teaching well in writing...
1. Teaching the steps of the writing process
2. Modeling written expression in different genres or formats
3. Providing various opportunities for student reflections and summaries across the curriculum
4. Clearly explaining and modeling Editor's Checklist (grade appropriate material)
5. Introducing, exposing, and encouraging vocabulary development
Things that need improvement in my writing instruction...
1. Be more consistent and frequent writing through the entire process
2. Not sure I always provide QUALITY writing lessons- when time is tight, writing may be cut from the day's activities
3. Using graphic organizers for students to plan writing- I've found this confuses my lower level students (They want to write complete sentences on organizers or copy phrases/thoughts as sentences in paragraph)
4. Conferencing with individual students
5. Grading- My thoughts are writing assessments are subjective. I only grade writing with rubrics, but I am much more rigorous with higher achieving students. This makes me worry that I am not being consistent and fair to ALL students.
How I plan to improve...
1. Provide more frequent opportunities for students to carry a piece through the entire writing process
2. Value the writing block and show my enthusiasm while modeling writing- This gives me time to share personal details with the students, which allows me to connect with them. I could also find more opportunities to write in other subjects since time can be an issue. However, this is not usually creative writing.
3. Spend more time teaching and modeling how to properly use graphic organizers
4. Figure out and stick to a conferencing schedule that is realistic
5. Research and collaborate with my peers to determine the best and most FAIR way to assess student writing (in addition to the rubric)
Abbey,
ReplyDeleteIt is so difficult to follow through the entire writing process with a piece of writing. I know this can be extremely frustrating. In a nine week period, prepare for one or two pieces piece to follow the complete writing process. Use the other pieces of writing to showcase one element of their writing. This works for me!
Nanelle
I can relate to cutting out writing lessons when a day hasn't gone as planned and we run out of time, however because we write across the curriculum and my students have multiple opportunities to write throughout the day, I feel like it is okay to do when necessary. It also sounds like you have your students write in all content areas so that should be okay for your students. I also struggle with scheduling conferences. Some of my students get a lot more time to conference with me because they are very fast writers while others may not get opportunities to conference as much because they take more time to complete their pieces. So this is definitely something that I also need to work on.
ReplyDeleteI teach the inclusion class for writing and I find it very difficult to conference with each student. Sometimes it may take 2 or more weeks to conference with every student to the extent that each conference needs to be. I also find it hard to get in each writing lesson. Sometimes I find that my writing lessons overlap onto a different day and this confuses the students. Next year with planning out my schedule, I plan to add more time to writing during the day.
ReplyDeleteI read through this post, and the thing that really popped out to me was your comment about wanting to conference more with your students about their writing. I also need to make more time for this, but I can definitely say that I believe this is one of the most important, interactive, productive manners of learning to write well that a teacher can provide. I can still remember conferencing with my college professors about certain pieces (English major), and it was extremely beneficial to me. Also, I like the way you broke down your entry. I do the same thing in mine, and I think it makes it a lot easier to read! So thanks!!
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