Saturday, May 5, 2012

Saturday Sayings: It's Time to Mess Up


If you stumbled across my Saturday Sayings post from last week, you know what Regie Routman says about the "I do" and the "We do."  (If you'd like to know more, click on the Saturday Sayings graphic and you'll see what I mean.)  Today's quote is all about the "I do."


Once upon a time, before I discovered the importance of consistent modeled writing, my students probably thought that good, quality writing just magically appeared on the page in its final form.  What a disservice to give them such an impression.  They never saw or heard a writer struggle, cross out words, or think aloud.  Yep, not good.

Then I can remember back in the day when I first began using modeled writing.  I'd write my piece on a little post-it note before the lesson and cheat off of it, basically pretending that I was coming up with the words right then and there.  Wait a minute.  Nice try, but seriously?  That was not modeled writing.  There's just no cheating when it comes to modeling the writing process.

I must admit, even though my audience members are only six or seven, it's a little disconcerting writing off the cuff in front of them.  What if I mess up?  What if I don't know exactly what to say?  What if I get stuck?  Exactly!  This is what I should hope will happen, so that when it happens to them, they'll know that this is what real writers do.

"You are in good company if writing is hard for you and you don't know what you're going to say till you "mess around" with thinking on the page.  That is how writers work.  Let your students in on that secret."  Regie Routman, Writing Essentials 43

(I'd like to thank Lori from Conversations in LiteracyJulie from Lighting a Fire in Third Grade, and Sandi from Literacy Minute for joining me on Saturdays during the month of April.  I absolutely enjoyed their company, and their reflections got my juices flowing.  I love that kind of professional development.  If you haven't met them yet, you're missing out.  You should go introduce yourself and tell them I sent you.)

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13 comments:

  1. All I can say is yes, yes, yes! Students definitely need to see us work through the process out loud for them. Your Saturday Sayings always have something great for us to reflect upon and I really enjoyed doing them with you, Julie, and Sandi!

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    1. Lori, I always count on your consistent comments. Thanks for always enjoying my little thoughts.

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  2. Ooooo, I like that . . . mess around on your thinking page . . . gosh how I wish I could teach writing!!!

    Thanks for your inspiration,

    Barbara

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    1. Barbara, thank you for coming by. I appreciate your support!

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  3. As I mentioned to you before, I love Reggie Routman and actually got to see her speak at the Illinois Reading Conference several years ago. I think it's important for us to model the struggles as well as the triumps because the writing process is not always easy. I also think it's important to allow kids to see us make mistakes and acknowledge & learn from them. Hopefully it makes it easier for them when they mistakes. We all do, right? Thanks for sharing, Tammy! I always enjoy your posts!
    Connie:)
    welcome to first grade room 5

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    1. Connie, I got to see Regie in Portland way too many years ago. I'd love to see her again. In fact, she's way overdo on writing a new book. Anyway, I love that you came by. I always enjoy your posts too. I'm pretty sure you and I are on the same page!

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  4. Nicely said. Love the picture - Great place, great day, great company!

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    1. Paige, I agree with all three. Let's do it again, minus the bear.

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  5. I couldn't agree more. Writing is a messy business and children need to know that it's OK to work it out, and to even leave a piece unfinished once in a while!

    Dee
    First Impressions

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    1. Dee, you're very right. They need to know all that's okay. Thank you for dropping by and commenting!

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  6. That is a beautiful photo. Where was it taken?

    Also, I love this quote! You are so right, our kiddos know when we are "faking" it and they aren't going to learn to play with language if we don't feel comfortable doing it ourselves!
    Julie
    Light A Fire in Third

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    1. Julie, that's Mt. Rainier. My best friend and I took a hike up there last summer. It was beautiful. Your additional thoughts are, as always, right on. Thanks for always coming by Julie!

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