Classroom Confidential -- Chapter 6

Discuss some ways that you could use the strategies from chapter 6 in your own teaching, even if you don't teach writing.

As long as I can remember, I've been a pretty solid writer. It's one of my strengths (unlike math, science or social studies). So, while other students complained endlessly about Daily Oral Language, comma use, or writing papers, I never did. I love everything about the English language.

So, it was really interesting to read this chapter and take on a better understanding of the ways in which many students view writing. I was particularly struck by the first few paragraphs of the chapter. These sentences caught my attention:

"[Students who hate writing] spend their entire school career held at penpoint...For them, writing is just a really, really inefficient way to communicate -- slower than talking and far more hazardous...For these kids, writing is just tough, puzzling work" (p. 114).

This passage helped remind me that writing isn't fun or easy for everyone. A lot of kids hate it because they find it so challenging. I'm now feeling more motivated to find ways to intrigue students and help them write in ways that make sense to them. When students see why they need to learn to write, they will be more motivated to learn the skills they need.

The chapter went on to describe a few different kinds of ciphers. I love these codes and I remember using them when I was little. What a fun way for students to learn about reading, writing, decoding, and communication.

I also found interesting Schmidt's passage on the importance of reading aloud to students. She names a few different reasons why teachers should do this daily:

1. Their vocabularies grow
2. They internalize the tricks writers use with sentences (dependent clauses, adjectival excess, sentence fragments, etc.)
3. They discover the use of dialogue
4. Learn about the different forms of literature
5. They get lost in a book

This was a fun chapter. I love writing and I hope to be able to express my love for it in my teaching. I want my students to love reading and writing too because I want them to see the benefits that it brings them. Writing is fun! I think all kids deserve to experience how writing should be!