Ralph Fletcher understands the difficult situation teachers are facing concerning writing. As educators, we want children to write for "fun" or as a means of "self expression." However, when exactly does the educator manage to include free writing? The author feels now more than ever before, children must be given the opportunity to write and often.
It is crucial that educators and their students begin writer's notebooks in order to creatively preserve LIFE. By modeling writing in their journals, students can see the necessity of capturing moments of happiness, surprise, or frustration. Here, in the writer's notebooks, there are no limits of self expression. Poetry, jokes, and stories of any genre are welcome.
More importantly, students have a wealth of selections to expand upon into a formal paper. Or, it can remain as precious memory tucked away in the writer's mind.
I have not kept a journal in years. I look forward to the journey...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Nicole, I agree. I envision myself as the type of teacher like Gloria Houston's My Great Aunt Arizona. I want to inspire my students to love learning. But realilty hits and I find that I have a hard time fitting in all of the things that I need to fit into a school day. I too am looking foward to starting journals with my students soon. I can't wait for each stolen moment I can spend with my own journal as well.
It's amazing what you can learn about your students that otherwise would have gone undetected. I tell my students that I want to know more abot them as a person than a student. I especially like when conferencing with other teachers and you mention something off handly like, "Johnny did well in his swim meet on Saturday. Did you know he is already being scouted?"
My colleagues look at me and say, "How do you know all this?" To be honest, I think the kids enjoy the special connection we form as writers or co- conspirators!!
Nicole,
It's amazing what one finds when surfing the internet. I had no idea that my daughter had a blog...nor did I realize that my picture along with my gorgeous and talented daughter had been posted!All parents should be as fortunate as your father and I are to have you for a daughter!!
Post a Comment