Chapter #12 Make Every Minute cou

What I took from this chapter:

I learned about timesavers. Having a writing schedule everyday, provide choices for prompts, have high expectations and teach kids to edit as they go.

Over all I know that I need to keep it simple. I tend to make writing diffucult I want my kids to enjoy writing.

Chapter #11 Build on Best Practice & Research

I think that our district is beginning focus on writing more than years past. I know for a fact that that our district does a pretty good job focusing on "Best Practice."

This looks like (some good points):

* teach reading and writing together
*write every day
*develop a community of writers

Chapter #10 Make Assessment Count

What did I take from this chapter?

Do not overdue that use of rubrics.

Collaborate with other teachers about rubrics - We did this as a 6th grade team!!!

Provide samples for students of great work and not so great.

Use "Front load" time to prepare the kids.

Chpater #9 Conference with Students

I've always known that conferencing with students was important, I just did know there was a variety of ways to accomplish it.
*Quickshare
*Roving
*One-on-One
*Peer
Good Ideas!

Always prasie students for their efforts!

Chapter #8 Organize for Daily Writing

Write lots of letters? I have to admit, I didn't see the value of letter writing until I read this chapter. I learned about many different types of letter writing. Again, I was reminded about authentic writing. I like the idea about writing to parents or grandparents.

Use of short writing projects was also a good thought. I always seem to think of large projects for some reason.

Chapter #7 Be Efficient and Integrate Basic Skills

What stood out for me-

I understand the idea of reducing isolated skill work. I know kids learn better if their writing takes on meaning. I think it is a good idea to work on skills, but it needs to follow authentic writing.

Chapter #6 Capitalize on Reading-Writing Connection

I was encouraged to hear about the connection between reading and writing. I often have students write about expository text, but seldom have them write in other genres. I was also enlightened about the use of response journals. "Be sure that students spend more time reading than writing about their reading" P. 126

I also like the "Framework" section. Setting a purpose, assessing knowledge, demonstrating how to summarize and giving feedback. The feedback is one the most critical parts in my opinion. Students need to know how to get better.

Chaper #5 Do More Shared Writing

I like the idea of linking shared writing to reading. This works particularly well with literature circles. Students write and talk about what they wrote. I have a rule that only what is written can be said during the assessment portion of the literature circle system. This forces thew kids to think very carefully about what they write. Students read what they wrote and other students assess their answers soley on what is written. For example, students might be ased to decide how many points an answer should recieve.

Chapter #4 Raise Your Expectations

It is important to have high expectations. I learned that I need to make certain that students know how important it is to produce quality work.
Writing is a process. Students need to learn how to edit and revise their own writing.

Chapter #3 Share Your Writing

It is also important to make connections from reading to writing. Today in class we read about a Greek Myth ( King Midas). The students wrote in their writing journals. I put some reflection questions on the board - it went well.

Chapter 2: Start with Celebration

What did I take from this chapter?

I want to make sure the students are writing about things that are meaningful. I do not want to focus on "correct" writing as much as I have been. Of course I will address mechanics, but I want the students to put their heart into their writing. Students need to have real audience. I will continue to look for authentic writing opportunities.

Chapter 1 : Simplify the Teaching of Writing

These are three things that I took from this chapter:

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• Modeling writing for and with students
• Having conferences with students
• Celebrating students' Writing

The chapter talked about simplifying our teaching of writing. I'm not sure how I would do this. I don't really know what my clutter is.