Where to begin? I feel like my life as an educator has been turned on its ear. When we began this institute, I believed myself to be a good writing teacher and was looking forward to this experience to make me a better writing teacher. In the last weeks, I have come to understand that before I can be the most effective writing teacher that I can be, I must claim the identity of a writer. This was not something that I had ever done before.
Writers have their work published, right? Their prose and poetry is polished and always "correct". They have thick skins and are fearless in their pursuit of publication. Boy have I been wrong. One of the other teachers in the institute said that a writer was someone who was willing to be engaged in the conversation. (I think that it was Jessie.) This is only one idea that has begun to re-shape my idea of a writer. Writers aren't necessarily fearless, but they continue to try and share their work with others. Writers write because they can't do anything else. They write for themselves and they write for others. They are composers and shapers of society. Teachers who write do all of these things and they teach others to do the same.
One of the best parts of the institute has been writing in my daybook. It has been great to have the opportunity to begin and end the day writing. My daybook has become more than just a writing space, it holds ideas, notes commentary and encouragement from the entire institute. I cannot wait to create daybooks with my sixth grade students. I will share my book with them as a model and then we will create one that fits our class needs and experiences.
The amount of options for students to share their writing digitally boggles the mind. I have found my own voice through Devolver and cannot wait to try and "Storyify" a concept or issue that we are grappling with in class. I now have a better understanding for my students frustration with Glogster, but like them, I persevered to create my story. I have also used Wordle to sum up my experiences. Using these internet resources has helped me to see the possibilities of digital publishing and I feel like I could use them with my students. I can't wait to begin blogging with my students as well. I want them to see themselves as writers and blogging will provide them with the opportunity to see their writing in print.
My Journey, Devolver style | Topic |
http://s3.amazonaws.com/dv_assets/plot_template.swf?movie_id=594347 | |
http://www.dvolver.com/live/movies-595505 | |
http://www.dvolver.com/live/movies-597274 |
My Writing Life: http://www.wordle.net/show/3834396/My_Writing_Life
Why do I do teach? http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3847905/Summer_Institute_Day_8
My inquiry project is about motivating middle school students to write at school, and at home. Each demo lesson that I have seen has given me different angles to think about and work to connect to my life as a writing teacher. Megan and Jessie, in their own ways have both encouraged me to think about who I am as a writer. I plan to expand my writing teacher's pledge to include my personal mission statement. This statement, and my writer's handbook, are both under construction. Jenn's demo reminded me that I need to be cognizant of the reasons and forms of my student assessments. Dorry reminds me to think about why I am a teacher: to teach kids. Poetry needs to be part of my instruction, as does student choice. Grammar must be taught in context, not as standalone lessons where students pick out the verbs and nouns. Writing can be revised using brushstrokes and peer conversations, not just teacher review.
I am a writer!
This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe daybook was one of the most transformative elements of these 2 weeks for me as well. I've learned so much just from the reflection it allows for, and I'm so excited to put it into practice with my students next year. I can't wait to hear how it works for you too. :)
I agree! The daybook has transformed how I look at things. I feel naked without it now. I catch myself thinking "I should write this in my daybook." Go for it! Claim your identity! I too can't wait to hear how you transform your classroom.
ReplyDeleteIt has been so great to work with you! I love your wordle especially how big Reflection is!
ReplyDelete"before I can be the most effective writing teacher that I can be, I must claim the identity of a writer. " This part really stuck out to me, because I feel it! I think communication is so important, and writing, reading, and speaking need to be a big part of my classroom. How do I create good communicators when I know I am NOT a good communicator?
ReplyDeleteLet me know how the daybook works for your 6th graders. :)
I'm with the others about your amount of awesomeness!! I have really appreciated your view of the teaching life and how to relate school to kids. And you've pushed my thinking about ways to make writing more personal to students.
ReplyDeleteSeriously awesome! I, too, have been trying to claim the identity of a writer. You inqiry about this process with excellent thought and language.
ReplyDeleteYour students are so lucky to have you! Your presence is inspiring and comforting and it has been so awesome to get your feedback and ideas throughout the institute!
P.S. Daybooks rock! I look forward to hearing about the ways that you have adapted it to your class when we meet in September!
See ya then!
"Writers aren't necessarily fearless, but they continue to try and share their work with others. Writers write because they can't do anything else. They write for themselves and they write for others. They are composers and shapers of society. Teachers who write do all of these things and they teach others to do the same." Your words spoke to what I have learned from SI- writing is communal and must be shared! Also I too have feel naked without my Daybook and catch myself thinking, "Oh, I need to write this down in my Daybook!"
ReplyDeleteI love the three words you chose for SI - Writing Changes You. Amen!!!
Rebecca, my fellow Social Studies teacher, thank you for the foldables and all the insight about ways I can incorporate writing in my class. The daybooks were revolutionary for me last year during UNCCWP's summer workshop. I implemented it in my class and my students resisted at first but the majority of them loved them by the end of the year! So run with it! Thank you for your transparency, strength, and courage to claim you writing identity.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, thank you for the energy you brought to SI! Your presence was tremendous- hearing your questions and ideas opened up more thinking for me all the time. I am excited to talk to you more soon about content areas and the Core.
ReplyDelete"[Writers] are composers and shapers of society. Teachers who write do all of these things and they teach others to do the same." Rebecca, I love this idea that you presented here. Your willingness to tackle difficult issues and to really question our practices and assumptions (and reactions) was such a valuable asset to our SI time.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph is so lyrical. It has such a musical quality to it as you claim your writer identity. I'm so excited for the learning you have done and can't wait to hear you report back about it. :)
I love your video on identity. I have been struggling thoughout SI to take a hard look at the things I should be modeling for my students and hadn't previously considered modeling. You are one of main people who started pushing me to look into my modeling practices. You are also the one who really got me thinking about how I connect reading and writing. Thank you for your SI in three words. I sometimes forget how much writing has shaped me through out my life and how it can change the lives of my students. With your permission, I'd like to make "Writing Changes You" part of my class motto.
ReplyDeleteMegan, feel free! I am going to add those three words to the other motto I have posted in my romm. Carpe diem!
ReplyDelete