- traveling
- Moab
- life in a large family
- living in the city with parents who grew up on farms
- moving to Panama
- volunteering
- racing up Pike's Peak
- parenthood
- teaching
- students--success stories and not so successful stories
Writing instruction has been a personal professional goal for years. After every school year, I reflect in what went well that school year and how I could improve for the next. Writing usually topped the list.
I slowly made changes to my instruction: stopped using prompts, followed the writing workshop format, mentor texts to guide instruction to name a few.
Now, I am comfortable with teaching writing. I model my writing for students on the ELMO or chart paper. I even joined this challenge to stretch myself further. As a teacher, I thank Katie Wood Ray, Nancie Atwell, Georgia Heard, Ted DeMille, Lucy Caulkins, and Kathy King-Dickman (an educational consultant from Colorado who has worked with my school for 7 years--google her; she is amazing!).
When working with a reluctant writer, I have many tools, but now I have compassion and understanding!
Here here! (or is it hear hear?) Anyway, I agree. This is painful. I have stayed up too late twice trying to write something. My voice and subject changes every day. I do have more empathy for my students now. I can also understand why they procrastinate.
ReplyDeleteAfter this month I really do get it, with the kids! Some days are magic and some days are not....but 'turtle like' determination does count for something and there is better writing because of the quantity. It sound like you have had amazing mentors, Shari. xo
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