Ok - Thanks to Heidi for coming in and doing a writing territories lesson to really help us kick off our Writer's Workshop. Now, however, I am committed. So, I bought another book tonight...my normal response to feelings of panic and inadequecy (sp?) that helps with mechanics and grammar in writer's workshop. What it comes down to though, is what will I do with them tomorrow?
Tracey, I can see how the Writer's Workshop has been difficult to work into the formalized structure of "IB Unit Plans" and curriculum mapping. Although, I really like the idea from Nancie Atwell of working through genres as a structure to the lessons.
I think that we will set up our writer's notebooks and then do some writing - we'll see how that goes.
Ellen
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hmmm, just thinking - about community
Ok - what makes a community? I think most would agree that a common purpose and a sense of working together make for a valuable community - but how can you create a community without sense of purpose and the value of each other or the attributes that we each bring to the table.
After attending my first English meeting in about three years (as a member of the team rather than an outsider coming in to present) I was positively shocked by the negative feelings prevelant (sp?) in the group - never spoken - but definately, quietly there. How can community develop in such an unsafe environment?
Our community of writers is in-process of developing - I think pretty strongly, because we come with a purpose, a sense of safety to risk, and a value for what we each bring to the table. I felt like last weeks (was it only last week?) group was very strong - is it that I felt more comfortable having written to a topic ;) or is it that our community has taken a year to establish - or was this just a good experience for me?
And - how does this understanding of community transfer to my classroom? Today I was quite stern with my class and felt frustrated with this group of bright questioning students - I didn't want them to question me...just do what I ask. (Some didn't see the value in asking them to write to a contest topic which I was not going to force them to enter - I don't force them - that is their call, I just support them in being able to enter if they want. And, I reward the risktakers who do enter.) Henry wasn't happy with me. My community was a little unhappy - me too.
Ramblings...
Ellen
After attending my first English meeting in about three years (as a member of the team rather than an outsider coming in to present) I was positively shocked by the negative feelings prevelant (sp?) in the group - never spoken - but definately, quietly there. How can community develop in such an unsafe environment?
Our community of writers is in-process of developing - I think pretty strongly, because we come with a purpose, a sense of safety to risk, and a value for what we each bring to the table. I felt like last weeks (was it only last week?) group was very strong - is it that I felt more comfortable having written to a topic ;) or is it that our community has taken a year to establish - or was this just a good experience for me?
And - how does this understanding of community transfer to my classroom? Today I was quite stern with my class and felt frustrated with this group of bright questioning students - I didn't want them to question me...just do what I ask. (Some didn't see the value in asking them to write to a contest topic which I was not going to force them to enter - I don't force them - that is their call, I just support them in being able to enter if they want. And, I reward the risktakers who do enter.) Henry wasn't happy with me. My community was a little unhappy - me too.
Ramblings...
Ellen
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