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Showing posts from February, 2024

Help Poetry Thrive In The Classroom

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As the schools year gets into swing, it is timely to talk about the place of poetry in the classroom.  If we want young learners to view poetry books with a sense of enthusiastic anticipation we need to alert them to its potential. If we want young learners to have an answer to the question “ And tell me, who is your favorite poet?” then we must expose them to the world of poetry and its various forms. In exposing students to poetry we need to let them hear poetry, see poetry and feel the impact that poetry can have on the reader and listener. When we take this approach, students will begin to develop personal tastes in poetry. They will speak with authority about their preferred poets; their preferred styles. They will begin to truly know poetry. Poetry should sit comfortably along side other writing genres in a young writer's mind. It deserves to have a visible presence in every writer's notebook.  In The Beginning… When beginning this journey I frequently conduct a workshop...

FREE On line Poetry Workshop: Poetry- Graffiti For The Heart

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Pleased and proud to be working with ALEA Top End to present this free Poetry Workshop on February 29th, 3.00 pm. Darwin Time. If your poet's heart needs some nourishment, please join me. Details below... ALEA Top End - Australian Literacy Educators' Association Join us for our first PL of the year with Alan J Wright (what a fabulous way to kick off 2024 am I right!) ALEA Top End are proud to offer this session FREE for all members and non-members across Australia! Simply follow the link and register to reserve your spot! https://www.alea.edu.au/.../poetry-graffiti-for-the-heart...

Encouraging Reflection Among Young Writers

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  Reflecting upon our writing lives, is a form of metacognition. We look back in order to discover. We may uncover truths. We may discover we are unconsciously skilled. We may also discover the need to redirect our energies, unpacking important details or revelations to guide our writing lives forward. Reflecting reveals signposts essential to writing development. As teachers of writing, it is vital that we encourage the growth of these same understandings with student writers. We must assist them to develop an  awareness of their own learning. Through mindful teaching, the inexperienced writer can be encouraged to to think and operate independently. In our day to day teaching we strive to assist the developing writer to be more aware of their thought processes. Attaining such a level of awareness will help them immeasurably as learners and in that process they become better writers. If we, as teachers encourage student writers to use reflection as a thinking tool, as well as ...