Living Life Twice

The ability of young writers to reflect upon their written works and to reflect upon the thinking that influenced their writing processes is of significant importance.  It is essential to develop a sense of ones-self when writing.  It is a critical component when striving for improved levels of writing attainment. Young writers begin to thrive when metacognitive awareness and reflection is fostered by their teachers.  The role teachers play in this growth of metacognition is evidenced when writers in a classroom community exhibit a shared metalanguage while discussing aspects of their individual writing process. When prompted in this way young writers willingly convey their writing intentions, or engage purposefully in writing conversations (writing conferences) with fellow writers -peers and teachers alike. In other words, they discuss the events surrounding their writing lives, and they do it using the specific vocabulary of writing. This is the result of teacher's...

T he conversations teachers conduct with young learners have the capacity to greatly influence writing development.  The art of conversation and the posing of meaningful questions is a skill educators would do well to mindfully develop.  The potential of these interactions to influence attitudes writing and outcomes should never be underestimated. The way we talk to young learners influences the very climate within the classroom. Open  up your classroom to authentic dialogue. It will deliver a little sunshine...      Opportunities to initiate writing conversations arise daily, throughout every writing workshop. Like all skills we hone, our abilities to ask questions through mindful actions benefit from regular practice.       Such conversations may take place during roving conferences, during strategy groups, check in groups, during individual writing conferences/conversations and also during share time.  They can be facilitated bet...