tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post2804846931028160957..comments2024-03-26T21:25:46.348+11:00Comments on Living Life Twice: Slice of Life Story Challenge March 16 -The Most Dangerous Part of The LessonAlan j Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-90129031837140924712016-03-17T14:17:48.716+11:002016-03-17T14:17:48.716+11:00Thank you Julie. It was indeed a thing of joy to w...Thank you Julie. It was indeed a thing of joy to witness how the volume of writing and student writing stamina have benefited from the implementation of this strategy. Teaching writing in this way is fun indeed, - as well as rewarding.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-83814072096505232652016-03-17T14:14:44.981+11:002016-03-17T14:14:44.981+11:00the critical nature of reflection is exemplified w...the critical nature of reflection is exemplified when one considers the action that was taken here grew from debriefing sessions where in conjunction with a group of teacher we were able to identify the need for greater volume and writing stamina and then decide upon a strategy to enable the goals identified to become a reality for these young writers. The instruction was informed by the assessment.Thank you Ashley for your kind response.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-84676451306185268262016-03-17T14:10:28.297+11:002016-03-17T14:10:28.297+11:00Thank you Lee Ann. Your sea analogies and those of...Thank you Lee Ann. Your sea analogies and those of James Britton are apt here. It is just a matter of harnessing talk to make it more effectively support the writing,Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-10200118990820421682016-03-17T12:32:29.003+11:002016-03-17T12:32:29.003+11:00I love how you approached this with the kids. You...I love how you approached this with the kids. You've made this very important message still sound fun and the kids are getting some valuable writing time in. Julie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10497758310228642932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-73167419116517837362016-03-17T11:40:44.963+11:002016-03-17T11:40:44.963+11:00Great strategy, but more importantly, great exampl...Great strategy, but more importantly, great example of what collaboration and reflection can do in a classroom. Ashley Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583478308891004904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-64119492995859152832016-03-17T11:05:02.244+11:002016-03-17T11:05:02.244+11:00James Britton said, "writing floats on a sea ...James Britton said, "writing floats on a sea of talk" but I am sure that he meant writing is supported by talk because you are right. In the writing moment writing ideas can be sunk (or float away entirely) by too much talk especial if it wanders off topic as much group maintenance talk does. Great post and good reminder for me to teach students to stay true to their writing missions.Lee Ann Spillanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650009312001849617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-50579876133039569152016-03-17T08:53:06.094+11:002016-03-17T08:53:06.094+11:00Thank you again Bonnie. Because I find my time in ...Thank you again Bonnie. Because I find my time in schools fun, and writing brings me joy, it is great to be able to share that in ways that are purposeful. Writers share their secrets. I have learnt I am more productive as a writer when there are fewer distractions. I want the young writers (and their teachers) to know this important information.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-79801290396970891992016-03-17T08:48:15.261+11:002016-03-17T08:48:15.261+11:00you are more than welcome Noel. Thank you for stop...you are more than welcome Noel. Thank you for stopping by and responding. Focused is an apt word in this context. If we can keep them focused, the quality of the writing that emerges on the page is more likely to engage a reader.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-16407184418404322242016-03-17T08:45:53.402+11:002016-03-17T08:45:53.402+11:00Thank you Elsie. I'm always looking for little...Thank you Elsie. I'm always looking for little catchphrases to spark student interest. They seem to like the term 'mission.' It's a term many are familiar with from their reading of spy and adventure stories.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-88906156089566475442016-03-17T08:43:24.464+11:002016-03-17T08:43:24.464+11:00Thank you Jennifer. We are striving to respect the...Thank you Jennifer. We are striving to respect the actual writing time. We should never undervalue the role of talk, but we do need to harness it, so the writing can emerge. That way there is something significant to actually talk about afterwards.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-61801703450853452002016-03-17T08:40:45.965+11:002016-03-17T08:40:45.965+11:00The fact that you remain aware of this issue is se...The fact that you remain aware of this issue is serving you well Kimberley. You and your students will find a balance, I'm sure.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-32250571589059615602016-03-17T08:38:36.454+11:002016-03-17T08:38:36.454+11:00Pleased to add another perspective to the issue of...Pleased to add another perspective to the issue of writing distractions Molly. It is, as you state a challenge to balance writing and talk. This is why we continue to grapple with this matter. It is in the interest of our developing writers that we do.Alan j Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077195459186935005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-65580766715116845732016-03-17T01:33:25.892+11:002016-03-17T01:33:25.892+11:00Love this.. making focus, fun and purposeful. Wha...Love this.. making focus, fun and purposeful. What a blessing! <br />Bonnie KBKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07973593425566621090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-59062171188749131942016-03-16T23:56:41.437+11:002016-03-16T23:56:41.437+11:00A great way to keep students focused and writing d...A great way to keep students focused and writing during writing workshop. Thanks for sharing your strategy!Noëlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160350420150692221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-38614304704482068532016-03-16T23:19:45.944+11:002016-03-16T23:19:45.944+11:00Love the idea of the writing being a mission and n...Love the idea of the writing being a mission and not allowing any distractions. Always great support for writing found here.elsiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16997205294316920985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-85346198189562114282016-03-16T20:58:23.052+11:002016-03-16T20:58:23.052+11:00Yesterday, one of my 4th graders told the kids sit...Yesterday, one of my 4th graders told the kids sitting around her to "Keep it down. I can't focus on my writing." I like your idea of containing talk to the before and after. Jennifer Laffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00409566035103972341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-2429430794105600302016-03-16T20:50:34.606+11:002016-03-16T20:50:34.606+11:00I always struggle with how much talk is necessary....I always struggle with how much talk is necessary. I've been watching myself to see how much talk I need vs how much silence in order to write well. the silence is definitely a bigger need.Kimberley Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944774091932084680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915339669985059502.post-53620551069291381972016-03-16T19:30:35.986+11:002016-03-16T19:30:35.986+11:00This post is so timely for me! I've been stru...This post is so timely for me! I've been struggling to support a few students who are easily distracted from their writing. I love your humorous approach to the danger zone of writing! "Stay alert to the danger! It's all around you!" I just reinstituted "Quiet 10" when students begin their independent writing time in total silence. My kids actually like it and when I forgot to set the visual timer yesterday, they reminded me. Of course, the visual timer is now a distraction for some of them. It is such a challenge to balance writing and talking during Writers' Workshop. Thanks so much for sharing a great slice, your reflections and a fun approach to this dilemma.mbhmainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12368641525885104669noreply@blogger.com