Tag Archives: writing

A Letter to LMWP

Dear Lake Michigan Writing Project Fellows,

Thank you for being so influential. Many of the things I’ve heard so far are things I think about, but the idea, question, or ‘what if’ dissolves into the busyness of my classroom and life. I’ve had discussions with students who wanted to use ‘I’ in their research papers. I’ve thought about using technology in the classroom, to make video stories, simulate an online learning experience, and work collaboratively on a google doc. I’ve wondered how to walk my students through a writing project, or fellow teachers through a PLC. I know I’m not alone, and you’ve influenced me to keep thinking and to keep trying.

Your influence has been on the personal level as well. You’ve challenged me to write about things I normally wouldn’t share with anyone. Being part of Kim’s writing group, and listening to her share such personal things, allowed me to let my guard down when it came time to write and share my own work. I wrote about things I love and things I hate. I wrote about my weaknesses and my faults. I shared confessions and secrets. Whether it be a freewrite, something I intentionally try to make funny, or even a snide thought I put onto paper, you give me a blessing or a “Thanks for sharing.”

Discussions with Greg and Charles about grammar made me aware of why I needed a semi colon when I wrote my obituary one day during a free write. A brief conversation about where we are from with Chris brought back memories of high school. David Malibu’s love of poetry and writing has inspired me to try to develop rhythmic writing, with double meanings and a twist at the end that leaves the reader surprised.  A trip to the Cottage Bar had me reflect on the apprehension I had at a dinner I had there once. By reading Lyndsey’s blog, I was influenced to try writing some science fiction. Listening to David’s writing leads me to believe there are appropriate ways to use the F-bomb. When someone asked me one day, when I was sitting at a picnic table in a shady spot, “What are you doing?” I instinctively and authoritatively answered, “I’m a writer!”

Thanks for sharing,

Ben

How do we get students to write in other subjects?

I’d like to see every one of my colleagues assign writing: at least one larger assignment per semester. And I mean EVERY one. Gym teacher? Yes. And art and world language and music. There are two reasons I feel this way. I think writing about a subject in the correct context has the ability to deepen understanding. It could involve analyzing two artists. It could evaluate several activities on cardiovascular impact. It could compare and contrast two languages. In music class, students could critique themselves or the work of famous musicians. These all involve higher order thinking, and they would be expressed using writing.

My district recently picked up science materials from the Battle Creek Math and Science Center. The kits include many of the things I already have in my classroom cupboards. I would say 75% of the activities and investigations were already being done in my room. The students would take notes about observations and write things like a hypothesis. Not bad for a science class. What I like most about the science kits is the journal. It has writing for before, during, and after the investigations. Students need to write down words on one page to organize ideas. On another page, there might be drawing, coloring, and writing a caption. But there always is a place to explain ideas! Each student has a chance to write down ideas. Not just some scribbles in their notebook, but a composed, well-thought-out answer. The sad part is, I think I’m the only one using the journals. Sure I skip a page or two. But it is an incredible resource. Plus, it is much easier to go through than student notebooks. I know what page to go to when I’m looking for an assignment.

Shouldn’t the math department be writing also. You bet! My teaching partner printed off the written portion of the Discovery Education math test (the ones we skip when we take the test). She assigns them. Students have to explain how they are solving problems. They need to be metacognitive, organized, and communicate effectively. Well done!

These are just some of the simple ideas I jotted down without much thought. Imagine if these teachers worked with others to develop a writing assignment. It could be awesome!  But we won’t sit down together. LA meets in one room, music teachers in another. Sometimes the encore teachers are excused from our PD because it “doesn’t fit” with what they do. (Don’t we both teach children? How is that not connected?) The culture of our building needs to change. Our district needs to set goals for writing across the curriculum. The Common Core (love them, or hate them) has set the standards for writing and technology in all subjects.

It just makes sense to give our students all the necessary tools to be successful in our information age.