Last month I received an email from a secondary teacher friend from another district who was in pursuit of some early elementary writing samples for professional development she was planning. I was more than happy to send some writing her way. She briefly shared her disappointment with the lack of elementary teachers who believed young children can really write. She was having troubles finding these teachers. I completely understood her frustration, because I've been baffled about the same issue for several years. It's a shame actually. Our elementary schools, both lower and upper grades alike, should be running over with authentic writing pieces. There should never be a lack.
I believe our problem is driven by teacher insecurities, lack of knowledge, and the wrong assumptions. Admittedly, teaching writing is not easy. In fact, it can be downright gruesome some days, leaving me questioning my abilities at times. A solid knowledge base and ongoing professional development definitely make a difference. More importantly though, it takes belief in my writers first and foremost. If my assumptions about my writers are on the mark, then I won't wait until November to introduce writing. I won't teach writing only when there's time. I won't ask my writers to fill in the blank. I won't repeatedly give them prompts. Young children can write, want to write, and have lots to write about. Those assumptions should lead the way to schools that are overflowing with writing samples to share.
Now I shall send you to Laurie at Chickadee Jubilee. She's got her own Saturday Saying this morning that you won't want to miss.
Oh how I feel the same way. It's sad really because we can learn so much from just a single piece of writing. Most of the teachers in my school believe writing to be copying a writing piece from the board. Makes me sad. Love your "sayings" as usual Tammy!
ReplyDeleteTammy, yes it is sad. Copying and writing shouldn't be thought of as the same skill.
DeleteAnatole France said it this way: Nine tenths of education is encouragement. I'll bet we can apply that to writing, too! We know that what we focus on we get more of, so I'm thinking that when we encourage and focus on writing, it starts to come more willingly and naturally. Just a thought ... love how your Saturday Sayings spark my brain.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you for adding your thoughts today. I appreciate you and your positive influence on our world of education.
DeleteI know part of the problem we have is that writing is not required for our standardized testing. In Kinder we take our test in December and in the past have literally been told not to focus on anything not preparing them for that test. I also think it takes a lot of patience, especially with the little ones. But it's so worth it-if nothing else to see their growth over the year. I've sat down with a kid and their portfolio at the end of the year and we look at how they wrote in the beginning and they say "I didn't write like that!"--yeah, you did-look at how much you've grown! :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Trayers, their growth is amazing and definitely worth all the hard work!
DeleteOh, man, now I feel like a dope - I didn't know not having writing was even an option. Even when writing was a special that my kids went to for my plan time - they still wrote in journals daily. I do see what you mean about how many compenents there are to the process, which can be overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteSara
Sara, well, writing isn't really an option at least it shouldn't be. Sometimes what teachers think is writing, really isn't though. :)
DeleteI couldn't agree more. The school day should be filled with writing opportunities. And most of the time they should be able to choose their own topics. I mostly avoid fill in the blank (although, to be honest, we're doing one on Monday:)), but most days the kids write in their journals about what's important to them....and I believe I usually end up with pretty great little writers with positive writing attitudes.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your Saturday sayings. Thanks!
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Barb, I'm sure that your writers do have positive attitudes. Not surprising at all.
DeleteStudents have so much inside of them to say. As you said, teaching writing can be difficult and hard work at times. But the growth that the students show can be amazing!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, the growth makes all the hard work worth it, huh?
DeleteI love your quote! We really do teach according to our beliefs or assumptions. Unfortunately, sometimes others tell us what to teach (programs). We can still have children produce authentic writing by holding fast to what we know is right for our students!
ReplyDeleteLiteracy Minute
Sandra, you make a great point that mandates can get in the way sometimes. If our assumptions are right, we'll make it happen, huh? :)
DeleteI agree with you, Tammy, and I think part of the problem is what is taught to future teachers regarding writing. This is my 4th year teaching and as I think back to my education (5years ago) I remember no training in the area if "teaching" writing. After one year in the classroom I knew I had some learning to do and started searching for answers. Maybe it is different now, but I definitely felt inadequate that first year teaching writing...and still growing!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Crystal, you make a great point. I didn't know how to teach writing when I left college.
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