Leading students to Reflection

Leading Students to Reflection and Independence.

This is a great insight from Kittle that “writers need feedback, not evaluation”. Indeed many student are found struggling with writing because of the fear of obtainning low grade. I equally agree with Kittle that we do not stop grading altogether but rather not make it our emphasis while teaching  writing. Considering the ideas that she suggested for good assessment of writers, I look forward to the implementation of the same in my subsequent teachings.

She suggest:

1. Teaching the content and craft distinctions in assessment: kittle suggest the we read for craft and content seperately. She appreciate and encourage, listen, and respond personally to the content. While for the craft she compares it to the qualities writing well in that genre. It will be a good idea and also be of great help to students if they can identify the difference between content  and craft.
2. Feedback on draft: while writing feedbacks as a teacher, don’t try to fix everything. If you do, your students are not likely to appreciate your effort. This was vividly portrayed by kittle with her experience with the writing teacher Ellen. We are to make room for revision on the part of the students because many kids may not show any indication that they saw what you corrected.
3. Feedback in conference: one on one teaching still holds the key to great achievement in teaching students particularly in writing.
4. End notes and students self-evaluation: students writing details of their writing process so that teacher can understand the writing moves made by students. Applying this process gives one the insight to what a student has gone through in the process of writing. It will also help students know how much they know.
5. Ongoing revision - the opportunity to improve: all writing teachers needed to come out with a way to get their student to practice writing continuosly. Writng does not stop with grade. I love the way kittle put it to her students that they what you submitted is not your last draft but that the final grade for a unit will be on your beat draft. Even if it comes in months after our initial deadlines.
6. Final portfolios: Evalution comes up at the end of collation of all work.

Final Blog Post: for ESC724

Lesson Sequence Reflection

There are many ideas that I was able to glean from Penny Kittle's book. one of such that I believe she will be proud of is the use of Quaker share at the end of my lessons. This will ensure that students are truly engaged in the act of writing because they will have to share a few lines that they like that they will be willing to read aloud to the class. At another time I used the Symphony share, that as I read the students work during  the independent practise I can ask three or four students to read to the class what they wrote. This can be found in chapter 6 on writers conferece.

Another area I strongly believe Mrs. Kittle will be impress about my writing is in the area of conferencing with students to help them actualize their thought while writing. Just as she suggested I am working with them and helping them based on what the have in mind to do and not to change their idea in any way.





Sum it Up.

Come out to see the moon and the stars
aren't they so bright
bury them in your hearts
that's the place for treasures. Right?
I will work with you, as you start
to make your moon and stars on paper white.
though you may have to re-start
many a times what you draft
persistence you must stack
until you reach the height.

Personal reflection.

going through this class has been interesting because I have to confront what I would always want to hide from and that is writing Lesson Plan. It is a very helpful part of teaching but it is like teaching a class in your mind before the actual teaching. I enjoy teaching but I also realize that to be a better teacher I need to walk through this phase and get to love doing this.
I will have to apply act of planning or lesson plan to all my teachings, even when it is for ten minutes. I will have to practice until I get use to it and observe improvement as I teach.
I will view the various templates I can lay my hand on and see which of the templates I can adapt ,and which is suitable for my use.

Feedback on my favorite writing activity

Most of the work done in class has be interesting especially the write-now during the lecture,but the genre narrative writing stood out for me. The process this writing to me back twenty years of my teaching experience. It got me thinking as I struggle to capture the event that took place. I wanted the account written just as it too place and I think I got as much as I can.
The instructor has been amazing because of her patience putting us through at every stage. I think she simply understand changes and growth take time and persistence. Thank you for always being there.