Sorry for the delay in the posting- I have combined last week's and this week's reading in the post below.
After reading chapters 3, 4, and 5, what ideas have changed your thinking about your teaching of writing? What ideas would you like to share with your colleagues?
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I loved reading Chapter 3 where we got the inside scoop on the how’s and why’s of her to-die-for classroom. Isn’t it gorgeous? What’s your favorite part? Anyone thinking of making some “tweaks” based on her ideas?
Last year I covered everything in my room with one color of paper, but it doesn’t matter because then so much other stuff gets collaged on top of it that you didn’t even know that there was one, unifying color underneath. I don’t read the Daily 5 stuff, but I know that “The Sisters” are saying this same thing. They go as far as to say that black borders work the best, since they draw your eyes away from the border and towards whatever is inside. I guess I could try to be more matchy this year.
I also loved her writing logs. I was thinking about making ones that fit an entire unit on them (as opposed to one week). I think that both the kids and I would benefit from having a big picture of what they worked on for a unit. If I make one, I’ll share it.
Most of chapter 4, an overview of units and individual workshop times, wasn’t very new to me. But I loved what she had to say about Share Time. I ordered the book Don’t Forget to Share, by Leah Mermelstein for our writing class. It’s because I always feel inadequate at this time of day. I know that some teacher’s problem is that the share goes too long because all the kids want to share. My problem is kind of the opposite: I never get into the habit of letting them share, because I’m afraid of that very problem. Therefore, I feel like my share is too teacher-directed. “Today, let’s hear three parts where the writer showed, not told.” Or, I have kids who I conferenced with “teach the class”. I’m the puppet master. Everything that goes on in that share is manipulated by me. I think I need a balance!!
I agree that her classroom is gorgeous too Andrea! I am planning on more organized ( I know you will find that hard to believe Andrea!) spaces for writing--maybe a place for their folders instead of desks. Also, a very separate place for paper and supplies. In chapter 3, I loved the "What we think we know about..." charts for each unit as a start as well as the writing records. I really want to implement both this year. I like your idea of a unit log Andrea--let's work on something together! I also like her idea of reflection--I didn't do it much throughout the year, but at the end. I'd like to try it for the celebration.
In chapter 4, the biggest thing I got was the use of mentor texts being displayed and read BEFORE a unit, and maybe to use a morning meeting to chart "noticings".
Chapter 5 just reinforced to me the importance of teaching the little things for management. I too often want to skip over those for "the meat" as she puts it, but need to remember management first so I don't pull my hair out when they use the stapler crazily!!
I like the book list on pages 77-78 to support teaching points. And your comment on sharing Andrea is good because it CAN get lengthy! I tried to stay out of it and pick 3-4 students to simply share something they did that day. Didn't always share, but shared more than I did the previous year!
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